Understanding and working with existential information in a Norwegian adolescent psychiatry context: a need and a challenge

Abstract

This is one of several studies on existential information in psychotherapy in Southern Norway. The aim of this study was to explore how therapists' backgrounds and existential information influence their therapeutic practice and philosophy of care, and the use of existential information in psychotherapy. The method used was qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Through emerging themes from the interviews and clinical case illustrations, information relating to therapists' backgrounds and existential orientations strongly influenced: therapeutic practice, philosophy of care, and if as well as how existential information was used in therapy. Professional and continued education/training in this area were insufficient. However, the area itself was considered essential for understanding clients' psychosocial and sociocultural needs in multicultural Norway. Therapists expressed the importance of communication about existential information. Clinical examples were given that focused on this information's usefulness for identifying strategies addressing both salutogenic and pathogenic aspects of adolescent psychosocial functioning. Clinical educational and training insufficiencies related to working with existential information were noted. Although strategic thinking and organisational framework in the working context permitted existential information to be raised in therapy, many expressed the lacking of methodological confidence and training in this area. Education and training were, therefore, priorities. Accessing this type of information with all clients, whatever their existential information, was emphasised for strengthening the therapeutic alliance.

Keywords:

• existential meaning-making
• cultural psychiatry
• therapists and existential questions
• Norwegian mental health services for young people

Acknowledgements

The authors express their deep appreciation to the director, team members, and patients connected to the ABUP at Southern Hospital (Sørlandet Sykehus HF) in Norway, who have agreed to participate in the ongoing research area projects related to understanding how cultural and existential information is used in therapy.

Funding

Preparation of this article was partially supported by a national grant awarded to the multidisciplinary research programme, Impact of Religion: Challenges for Society, Law and Democracy, established as a Centre of Excellence at Uppsala University and funded by the Swedish Research Council 2008–2018. Valerie DeMarinis is a member of this Centre of Excellence, theme leader for the Wellbeing and Health research theme area, and director of the research area of Public Mental Health Promotion.

Notes

1. The term philosophy as used here includes both an established philosophy of psychotherapy that would influence how care is understood in this type of work, or a less formal and more implicit understanding of or approach to care used in psychotherapy.

2. The translations from Norwegian to English were done by the authors.