Volume 9, No. 1, Art. 45 – January 2008

Dialogic Transformation in Therapeutic Contexts. Metaphors, Stories and Parables—Manners of Conduct and Speaking

Klaus G. Deissler (Germany)

Abstract: The article contributes to the discussion of the premises and practical consequences of social constructionism in of the context of psychotherapeutic practice.

The article is based on the presupposition that the use of metaphors is an important aspect of therapeutic interaction and that they contribute to transformation not only within the therapeutic dialogue. For these ends a few metaphors implying processes of social construction are presented—some gaining their effect of clarification through intended alienation.

These processes are exemplified further in the psychotherapeutic context by presenting diagnoses as relational constructions. We end with a brief case study that highlights the social constructionist understanding of therapeutic dialogues.

Key words: dialogic transformation, dialogic therapy, systemic therapy, social constructionism, therapeutic metaphors

This contribution is only available as a full text in the German language. German text

Volume 9, No. 1   Table of Contents

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© 2008 Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research
(ISSN 1438-5627)

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Center für Digitale Systeme, Freie Universität Berlin