There-apy: The Use of Task,Imagery,and Symbolism to Connect the Inner and Outer Worlds

Abstract

The author presents a model of therapy called there-apy, which evolved over the years in “co-operation” with her clients. Thereapy weaves together the use of task, symbolism, and imagery into an on-going process. Concrete tasks take on symbolic meaning, and symbolism gets actualized through achieving concrete tasks. Imagery and imagination become mediators in this process. An individual’s outside and inside worlds become resources for each other, feeding back into each other to create a re-evolving dialogue between the being and the doing. There-apy sees the individual within his or her social context by connecting the individual’s outside and inside worlds and often by involving the partner or family in the process. The therapist is seen as a mentor who helps individuals make sense of and helps them sense who they are while they are often still in a state ofnon-sense.

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