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Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD Psychologist-psychotherapist/family therapist e-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr 1 EFTA Conference - Paris 2010

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Page 1: early recollections

Athena Androutsopoulou, PhDPsychologist-psychotherapist/family therapist

e-mail: [email protected]: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

1

EFTA Conference - Paris 2010

Page 2: early recollections

A narrative perspective for the use of early recollections (an old Adlerian tool).

Old and new techniques can both function as aids to story-telling in therapy, if there is a narrative rationale for practice.

2Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

Page 3: early recollections

Androutsopoulou, A. (in press). Red Balloon: Approaching dreams as self-narratives. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

Androutsopoulou, A. (2001). The self-characterisation as a narrative tool: Applications in therapy with individuals and families. Family Process, 40, 79-94.

Androutsopoulou, A. (2001). Fiction as an aid to therapy: A narrative and family rationale for practice. Journal of Family Therapy, 23(3), 278-295.

3Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

Androutsopoulou, A. (2005). Themes in nested stories: A case in family-

oriented therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 24, 43-59.

Androutsopoulou, Α., Thanopoulou, Κ., Economou, Ε., Bafiti, Τ. (2004)

Forming criteria for assessing the coherence of clients’ life stories: A

narrative study, Journal of Family Therapy, 26, 383-405

Page 4: early recollections

Specific incidences from childhood are what we define as early recollections.

ERs are different to early reports that are more general and are often contradictory to specific incidences.

4Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

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The form and content of recollections represent the current edition of a self-narrative.

Exploring with clients theme commonalities among their early recollections and between their early recollections and their present concerns.

Finding exceptions or openings in a single recollection or in a series of recollections, and link to present efforts.

Progress in revising is reflected in how the same ER is narrated at later phases of therapy.

Progress is also reflected in the choice of ERs at later phases of therapy which reveals changes in themes.

5Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

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Tell or write three memories from childhood up to the age of 8. Tell them or write them in the first person and present tense. How did you feel? What age were you?

6Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

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One important theme in persons’ narratives concerns waysof relating.

The two case examples that follow are both from clientsstruggling with avoidant patterns of relating which arerestricting.

The first case indicates changes in the form of a theme(different way of narrating the same ER). The secondindicates changes in the content of a theme (differenttheme in the choice ERs)

7Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

Page 8: early recollections

First version of Vicky’s recollection (earlier phase in therapy)

Today I’m happy because I’m going to visit Mary, our neighbor. I put on my bestdress and I ring the bell. Mary (a woman who is older than my mum) opens thedoor and welcomes me. Tea, she says, is ready to be served. I sit on a small stooland she brings a little table. The ritual begins. Mary brings the teapot made ofporcelain and decorated with red flowers. I am excited. And there comes myfavorite part. It’s when she offers my favorite sugar cubes. I so much like to seethe cubes soak in the tea! (7 years old)

Second version of Vicky’s recollection (later phase in therapy)

It’s noon and I’m anxious to visit Mary in the evening. The time has come and Iput on my favorite white dress to go play my favorite game. I open the door andgo across the hall. I ring the bell of Mary’s and Steve’s home. Mary opens thedoor and welcomes me with great joy! She hugs me and I give her a kiss. As I kissher I see that my little table is already set. I run to it and sit. Mary serves the teaand we sit together like little ladies. I feel so happy! I particularly like to see thesugar cubes melt. I feel important and welcome!

8Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

Page 9: early recollections

Anita’s series of sitting recollections (early phase of therapy)

I am sitting at the balcony of my house waiting for my mum to return from work. I have missed the school bus and she will take me to school. I don’t remember how I felt. (5 years old).

It’s my birthday party that takes place at our country house with the big garden. All the children have come and they are out playing. I sit inside on the step of a big staircase and feel awkward. I don’t like playing. My mother has seen me but has not said anything that I sit alone. (7 years old).

My father took my brother and me to the circus. I remember returning home and eating chocolate cake that my mum made for us. We are sitting at the veranda. I am very happy. (8 years old).

9Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

Page 10: early recollections

10Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

A recollection by Sue (Anita’s mum) about Anita

Your father and I had just returned from our trip to Paris. I called you but you did not respond. I found you sitting at a bench at the backyard of our summer house. You wouldn’t talk to me and it took time before all was well again.

Sue’s (Anita’s mum) early recollection

I am sitting alone under a tree. Other children play nearby, but I am theonly girl and no one will play with me. I console myself by telling storiesto an imaginary friend.

Page 11: early recollections

Anita’s series of enjoying recollections (late phase of therapy)

My brother and I play in the garden of our summer house. We havedifferent camps and put flags and ropes to mark our areas. I enjoy thegame a lot (8 years old)

My parents are at work. My granny is preparing the barbeque in theback garden of our summer house. She has made burgers which are myfavorite. It smells great and I am happy. I know that she will tell usstories while we eat (7 years old).

My parents have just returned from their famous trip to Paris. Theybrought me a gift. It’s a small washing machine that washes clotheswith real water. I am thrilled! (I am 3 years old).

11Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr

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Early recollections as a tool for recognizing, challenging, andrevising restricting themes of relating in persons’ lives.

Early recollections represent the current edition of a selfnarrative

Early recollections allow us to detect: (a) themes that needrevising, and (b) openings for the development of new themes.

Revisions and changes in themes are reflected both in thecontent and form of ERs provided at later phases of therapy.

12Athena Androutsopoulou, PhD - Web: http://www.androutsopoulou.gr