Publicatie

How Is Contextual Therapy Applied Today? An analysis of the Practice of Current Contextual Therapists

Contextual therapy focusses on restoring and enhancing relationships, based on its paradigm of relational ethics, presuming a human tendency for reciprocal care. It is precisely in a time of stressed relationships that this focus on strengthening humanity is of great importance. This article presents the first study on the application of this paradigm into concrete interventions of 12 current contextual therapists, answering the question: How do contextual therapists apply the contextual theory and therapy into concrete interventions? Using the Thematic Analysis, 14 therapy sessions were analyzed, revealing a typical working-method and eight characteristic categories of interventions. The findings of this qualitative research reveal a consistent working-method and several recognizable contextual elements. These may contribute to further integrating the paradigm of relational ethics in family therapy and developing a contemporary contextual guideline for therapy. It also provides a conditional step for investigating the efficacy of contextual therapy, for evidence-based research, and for further development of the methodology of contextual therapy.

Auteur(s)

Noordegraaf, M. (Martine), Ewijk, H. van, Meiden, J. van der

Publicatietype

Artikel

Uitgever

Springer

Trefwoorden

Contextual therapy, Relational ethics, qualitative research, Intergenerational therapy, Family therapy

Taal

Engels

Gepubliceerd in

Contemporary Family Therapy. 41, 12-23

DOI

10.1007/s10591-018-9467-9

Gepubliceerd op datum

2019