‘The essay method’ a qualitative method for studying therapeutic dialogues

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a qualitative research method for analysing therapeutic dialogues called ‘the essay method’. A central part of the method uses the format of the literary essay as a model. The method consists of a close monitoring of clinical material guided by an overall psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theoretical frame. It combines both clinical details and global patterns of clinical material and is especially fitted for studying relational qualities of psychotherapeutic dialogues. In this paper, the background for qualitative analysis in studying psychoanalytic material is discussed, and the procedures for using the method are demonstrated. A study of therapeutic competence in a group of student therapists is used as an example of the method in practice, demonstrating that the essay method may have potential for revising theory and establishing new concepts based on empirical findings. The essay method is compared with other qualitative methods, and it is argued that it is suitable for psychoanalytic research.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative method
• psychotherapy research
• psychoanalytic psychotherapy
• analyst patient relationship
• therapeutic competence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. In der Psychoanalyse bestand von Anfang ein Junktim zwischen Heilen und Forschen, die Erkenntnis brachte den Erfolg, man konnte nicht behandeln, ohne etwas Neues zu erfahren, man gewann keine Aufklärung, ohne ihre wohltätige Wirkung zu erleben (Freud, 1926/1971, p. 293).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sverre Varvin

Sverre Varvin, M.D., D.Phil., is a training and supervising analyst of the Norwegian Psychoanalytic Society. He is professor emeritus at the Oslo Metropolitan University. He has done clinical research on traumatization and the treatment of traumatized patients, especially in the refugee field. He has done process and outcome research on psychoanalytic therapy, research on traumatic dreams, and on psychoanalytic training. He has twice been president of the Norwegian psychoanalytic Society and he has held several positions in International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), such as vice-president, board member and chair of the IPA working group on terror and terrorism. He is presently chair of IPA China Committee. He has published articles and books on traumatization, refugees, terrorism, and research on treatment process and outcome.