Paradoxical nature of narrative in analytical psychotherapy

Abstract

This study explored the changes, obstacles for changes and the sharing of narratives in psychotherapeutic case studies. Study 1 developed an index for analyzing the process of narratives in psychotherapy, based on 101 cases. In Study 2, 203 cases were evaluated using the index generated from Study 1. As a result, three paradoxical natures of narrative became evident. Narrative in psychotherapy is thought to include (1) recognizing the beginning of a narrative, which can also signify the completion of the narrative, (2) negative movements that hinder the development of the narrative while at the same time move it forward and (3) an individual’s narrative that is uniquely one’s own, but easily influences and is influenced by the narratives of others.