The importance of style in the writing of psychoanalytic case studies

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to encourage psychoanalytic therapists to reflect on the importance of their writing style in the presentation of their clinical material. A brief description of the current theoretical positions on the validity of the case study as a research method is provided as well as a critique of their apparent lack of consideration for the literary qualities of the case study. Attention is then directed to the works of Adorno and Nietzsche, whose passionate striving for consistency between their philosophical ideas and writing styles could potentially inspire psychoanalytic therapists to stop being so concerned about the lack of scientific evidence for their clinical work and to start employing a writing style which could best represent the ‘impossible’ nature of their practice.

Keywords:

• case study research
• writing style
• Adorno
• Nietzsche
• psychoanalytic practice

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my client for giving her permission to represent an extract of our encounter and dialogue in this paper.