Transforming Themes challenges the dominant view of psychotherapy as a
structured, reductionist process. Instead, it views psychotherapy as an
alive, unrehearsed interaction that embraces healing when it is focused
on the role of 'therapeutic themes'. These themes are the entrenched
frames of references or contexts from which clients perceive their
lives. In any interaction, each participant has a unique worldview. When
clients come to therapy, they bring their problems in the form of a
theme: 'the woman who can't forgive' or 'the child who is a terror'.
Any potential statement or action performed within this theme merely
strengthens the problem. Only when the theme of the therapy session has
shifted can clients gain access to inner resources to shift perspectives
and begin inner transformation. Effective therapy results from moving
clients into more flexible, empowering themes. These changes occur as a
result of the dynamic interaction between therapist and client, which
embraces improvisation, creativity, and novelty, rather than adherence
to specific theories or techniques. Using historical and modern research
and colourful case studies, this work will help professionals understand
how to easily adapt and apply creative and resourceful therapy
interventions, no matter what therapeutic orientation they endorse. This
book will enable therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and social
workers to gain access to creative, effective methods which help their
clients heal while increasing effectiveness and enjoyment in clinical
work.
