Personification Using the Dialogical Self in Psychotherapy and Counselling [Paperback]

Personificationdiscusses the theory behind multiplicity of the person and considers the implications that the relationships between the different parts of the same person have in practice.  Providing both historical and contemporary insights John Rowan reveals new thinking and research in the field, as well as offering guidelines for using this information in practice.

The book also looks closely at the practice of personification  a technique involving the turning of a problem into a person and allowing a two-way dialogue through which the inner critic can be addressed and explored.

As such areas of discussion include:

• the use of multiplicity in therapy
• group work and the dialogical self
• the transpersonal

This practical, straightforward book will be ideal reading for anyone using personification in their therapeutic work, including psychotherapists, counsellors and coaches.

Part I: Introduction1. A Fresh Look 2. Implications 3. The Brave New World. Part II: The Dialogical Self in Therapy4. The Use of Multiplicity in Therapy 5. How To 6. The New Practice 7. Groupwork and the Dialogical Self. Part III: Directions and The Potential8. The Transpersonal 9. Some Ways Forward.

I use psychotherapy and counselling models and methods, including multiplicity, in my professional coaching work. Like John I am sceptical about the absolute truth of any such models, but I find that when I and a client use them as if they are true, while all the time knowing that they are not, the work can be very productive. This book deepens my understanding of the processes which I use, and it will refine my work. I found it fascinating. - Sir John Whitmore PhD, Chair of Performance Consultants International, The Institute of Human Excellence, and a strlãµ