Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapy

Book excerpt: In this book, Dr. Bahrke and Dr. Nohr introduce psychotherapists and psychoanalysts to how they can work with Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapy (KIP) at the current level of psychodynamic knowledge. The method is a method of psychodynamic psychotherapy introduced by Hanscarl Leuner in 1955 under the name "Katathymes Bilderleben" and further developed since then. The authors clearly show the state of the art in case studies and in a systematic presentation. About the method: How does KIP work? The therapeutic practice is based on the inclusion of imaginations in the therapy process. Unconscious desires, conflicts, their defense as well as the transference relationship are thus symbolically illustrated. The imaginations stimulated and accompanied by the therapist are a valuable supplement to the psychodynamic process of understanding and, in addition to conversation, open up an affect-related, motivation-promoting access route in the treatment of many disturbance patterns in short and long-term therapies. In contrast to other psychotherapy methods that use imaginations, imaginations in KIP are understood as a component of relational work, taking transference and resistance into account. Written for ... Psychodynamically working psychotherapists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts who work with imaginations, as well as all colleagues interested in figurative language, metaphors and dreams.