Mythmaking in the Land of Imperfect Specialness

SUMMARY

Family myths are both homeostatic and morphogenic and they contain within them (as does symptomatic behavior) many of the necessary components for change. In this case report, the therapy process is described as primarily a place to see family mythology in development where plots can shift, endings can be changed and new characters introduced. Four central myths were explored with this family of mother, father and two young children by juxtaposing, rewriting and shifting the meaning of various family rituals, symbols and stories. Techniques that clinicians can use to work with the evolution of family myths are highlighted such as puppet shows, bringing in symbols, gift giving, telling of open ended fables and termination rituals.