Exploring personal mythology : a meaning-making process for counselling
Date
1992
Authors
Jacobsen, Sandra Lee Carole
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Abstract
This study provided an interpretive-descriptive account of one woman's experience exploring personal mythology in counselling. This individual's experience was examined through the use of a naturalistic methodology which blended primarily qualitative and phenomenological approaches. The overriding task of this project was to construct a reflective-interpretive text which mirrored the essential significance and nature of this particular experience. There were three fundamental research questions addressed in this study: "What is it like for a client to explore personal mythology in counselling?" "What insights or awarenesses does the client gain through this experience?" "How does the client associate these insights with everyday life?"
The individual in this study--Pamela (a pseudonym) participated in four counselling sessions designed to explore personal mythology using a guided imagery process. These sessions took place approximately five days apart. Data was obtained from the guided imagery sessions and from interviews conducted after each session, as well as from one follow-up interview which took place one week after completion of the final counselling session.
A thematic analysis seemed to indicate that the client's experience exploring her personal mythology was one in which she made important discoveries about significant life issues and relationships both with herself and others. The client seemed to gain a greater understanding about her inner and outer life and the relationship between her exploration in the sessions and her present and past life experiences. Overall, the client seemed to increase her awareness and insights, deepen her understanding, and create personal meaning regarding important life experiences and relationships.
This study illustrates a number of things: (a) an interpretive-reflective text which is an explication of the meaning structures of one woman's experience exploring personal mythology in counselling, (b) an application of mythmaking in counselling and therapy, (c) a potential meaning-making process for counselling, and (d) a methodological approach to research that shares many similarities to the process of counselling. Implications and indications for counselling regarding the particular process of exploring personal mythology designed for this study are discussed. Limitations of the present study and implications for future research are also addressed.
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UN SDG 5: Gender Equality