The Phenomenological Use of Self in Integrative Psychotherapy: Applying Philosophy to Practice

Authors

  • Linda Finlay The Open University, UK

Keywords:

Phenomenological philosophy, therapeutic use of self, integrative psychotherapy, phenomenological inquiry, existentialism, dialogic practice

Abstract

Phenomenology is an umbrella term encompassing a philosophical movement and also a range of approaches applied to research and therapy. It is a way of seeing how things appear to us through experience, and it demands an open way of being—one that examines taken-for-granted human situations as they are experienced in everyday life. In this article, the author applies ideas from phenomenological philosophy to show how they are enacted in practice in our moment-to-moment therapeutic use of self. Several case illustrations of therapeutic dialogues are offered along with philosophers’ original words to show the richness and potential of phenomenologically oriented relational integrative psychotherapy.

Author Biography

  • Linda Finlay, The Open University, UK

    Linda Finlay is an existentially-oriented relational Integrative Psychotherapist in private practice in the United Kingdom (UK). She also teaches psychology and counselling at the Open University, UK. She has published widely. Her most recent books are Relational integrative psychotherapy: Engaging process and theory in practice and Practical ethics in counselling and psychotherapy: A relational approach. Her latest book entitled The therapeutic use of self in counselling and psychotherapy, is due to be published October 2021 by Sage. She is currently Editor of the European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy (EJQRP.org). Website: http://lindafinlay.co.uk/

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Published

2022-01-14

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Articles