Renunciation of the self in psychotherapy

Self-renunciation or self-denial, although often misunderstood, is a foundational concept in several major religions and is frequently associated with spiritual maturity. In spite of this, the action of self-renunciation has been viewed with suspicion by the psychological community and criticized as repressive. This article argues that the concept of self-denial found in the Sufi tradition of rebirth and the salvation paradox found in the synoptic Gospels can bring a valuable perspective to psychotherapy. First, a brief summary of the history of psychotherapy and its contributions to the understanding of the self are provided. Next, a cursory overview of the Sufi tradition of rebirth is given. Third, the salvation paradox found in the synoptic Gospels is reviewed. It is argued that these two traditions offer valuable insight into ideas surrounding the self. Finally, the clinical implications of self-denial are discussed, and conclusions are drawn related to how psychotherapy can benefit self-renunciation.     

The self in transformation: Dialectical processes in long-term psychotherapy

A number of phases are notable during the process of integration of the self through psychotherapy. Each of these phases encompasses a particular ontology in relation to the dynamic self. The underlying process of change, moreover, may be conceived of as dialectical in nature with each phase having a unique thesis and antithesis. A clinical case is presented to illustrate these ideas for the therapist.     

The phases of renewal: Steps to integration of the self in psychotherapy

This is a study of the psychology of self-renewal. The myth of Psyche is examined since it is among the finest rebirth stories antiquity has left us and can be read as representative of the renewal process in general. The story as such, points to a number of psychological states of being necessary for the self to pass through if change is to occur. Renewal can be understood as a series of ontological situations, and these can be structurally considered in terms of phases. This in turn, provides a general theoretical framework for a psychological analysis of self-renewal. The phases of renewal, derived from the Latin, are:immanence, obstruence, descendence, experience, ascendence, emergence andtranscendence. The case of Lee is used to illustrate the process of integration of self in psychotherapy.     

Reconstruction of the self: Life-span-oriented group psychotherapy

Abstract

Traumatic events affect the individual at many levels of functioning. They can have profound and lingering consequences for self-identity. Affective, cognitive, and behavioral components of the functioning of the self are experienced as disjointed, producing at times a sense of a lack of control of the self and a feeling of schism between the pre- and posttrauma identities. Therapeutic interventions drawing on constructivist theory and integrative techniques are useful in helping the traumatized individual regain self-understanding and mastery. The design and operation of a life-span-oriented group developed for work with individuals who have posttraumatic stress disorder are described. Guidelines for the structure and process of the group are provided, as are principles for technique selection and use within a structured, self-reflective group format.     

The interacting self: Its developmental and phenomenological aspects in psychotherapy

Though there is increasing knowledge today about self development and self structure, there still remains a lack of clarity about the applications of these to practice. The aim of this article is to present a conceptual refinement of existing self theory in order to make it more accessible to practice. We will clarify the phenomenon of a divided self with the help of developmental and phenomenological ideas. We will then present and illustrate a therapeutic focus which encompasses not only client-therapist interaction, but also self interaction.     

The place of self psychology in group psychotherapy: a status report.

This article reviews the growing contribution of self psychology to group psychotherapy. The basic self-psychological concepts as they are applied to group dynamics and the treatment process are explored. Transference, countertransference, and self-restitutive patterns are illustrated in a clinical vignette that includes a "difficult" patient's impact upon the interactional and group-as-a-whole processes. Several directions for future investigation are described.     

On the devalued self: Implications for a transtheoretical psychotherapy

An outline of a transtheoretical psychotherapy dealing with the participants' individual and interacting self-concepts is presented. It is believed that this approach (1) is consistent with social learning and conflict theories of psychopathology, (2) provides a concise definition of the patient's central problem and of the relevant goals of treatment, (3) suggests ways of understanding the centrally important covert processes of psychotherapy and of dealing with the participants' resistances to treatment, (4) offers empirical criteria for determining treatment progress and for terminating treatment, and (5) suggests possibilities for psychotherapy research based on empirical criteria.     

Group psychotherapy of the characterologically difficult patient

A broad range of characterologically difficult patients present for treatment in psychotherapy groups. Despite different clinical presentations, including features of the schizoid, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders, these patients share a common developmental failing. Specifically, these individuals have failed to attain object constancy and the associated stable internalization of tolerably ambivalent representations of the self, and of the other, in relationship with one another. Splitting mechanisms predominate over integrative ones, as primitive defenses are utilized to deal with the individual's powerful needs and fears related to engagement and intimacy. These maladaptive interpersonal styles are clearly illuminated in group therapy, but often to the exclusion of the latent, intrapsychic derivatives of this behavior, with detrimental effects. This paper examines the group therapy of such patients from the perspective of object relations and self psychology theories, models that provide the essential link between the interpersonal and the intrapsychic worlds.