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Psychotherapy as making
John McLeod1,2, Rolf Sundet3
1Institute for Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dublin, Ireland.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 5, 2022
Summary
Psychotherapy can be viewed not as an intervention, but as a collaborative process of "making" meaning. This approach embraces the unexpected and fosters co-creation of fulfilling lives using shared cultural resources.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Philosophy
Background:
- Psychotherapy traditionally relies on pre-existing theoretical models and interventions.
- Contemporary practice often views therapy as applying empirically validated procedures.
- Meta-theories shape the understanding of psychotherapy's societal role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a reconceptualization of psychotherapy.
- To introduce the paradigm of "therapy as making".
- To explore theoretical underpinnings for this new perspective.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of psychotherapy practice.
- Integration of psychotherapy literature with philosophical and social science theories.
- Development of the "therapy of making" framework.
Main Results:
- Psychotherapy can be reframed as a cultural space for co-constructing meaning.
- This "making" process draws on shared cultural resources.
- It offers a way to integrate the unexpected and the radically new into therapeutic practice.
Conclusions:
- Theory-specific and protocol-driven therapies may be insufficient.
- A "therapy of making" approach is needed to embrace novelty.
- This paradigm allows for openness to the unknown and the emergent in living.
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