In this article, we use the intersubjective ethics of Bakhtin and Levinas and a case illustration to explore change in therapy as an ethical phenomenon. We follow Lakoff and Johnson in their emphasis on the way our conceptions of change seem permeated by metaphors. Bakhtin and Levinas both suggest through a language in which metaphors play a crucial role, that human existence—the consciousness and the subject—emerge within the dialogue of the encounter. They both describe the dynamics of human existence as ethical in their origin. Following this, we argue that change may be seen as an ongoing ethical event and that the dynamics of change are found in the ways we constantly become in this event. We investigate the ethical dynamics of this ongoing event through three themes illuminating the contributions of both Bakhtin and Levinas: (1) we become as responsible, (2) we become in speaking, (3) we become in answering the unknown. We explore these themes through a case illustration. Finally, we briefly point out some possible implications for mental health practice.
Studies exploring the experiences of recovering from mental health difficulties show the significance of social and relational aspects. Dialogical practices operate within the realm of social relations; individual perspectives are not the primary focus of attention. The present study is part of a series of qualitative studies from southern Norway, exploring dialogical practices and change from the perspective of lived experience and in relationship with network meetings. Two co-researchers, who themselves had experienced mental health difficulties, were part of the research team. Material from qualitative interviews was analysed through a dialogical hermeneutical process where ideas from Emmanuel L evinas and Mikhail Bakhtin were used as analytical lenses. Six interdependent dimensions emerged from our interpretative analysis, comprising three temporal dimensions (1. Dialogues open the moment, 2. Dialogues open the past, and 3. Dialogues open the future) and three dimensions of speaking, which operated across the three temporal dimensions (4. Ethical: Dialogues open through inviting attentiveness and valuing, 5. Expressive: Dialogues open for new vitality, and 6. Hermeneutical: Dialogues open for new meaning). These dimensions were incorporated into one main theme: Dialoguesbeginning by others being invitingly attentiveopen for moving and living. The way the findings point to change events as an opening for movement -'moving in' as if from the outside, and 'moving on' as opposed to being stuckare discussed in relation to other studies.We conclude by suggesting that the salient point of change-generating conversations is in the ethics of being invitingly attentive, and such conversations should take into account multidimensionality, that relates to the past and the future.
The present study is part of a series of qualitative studies focusing on dialogic practice in southern Norway. In this article, we present a qualitative study of a network meeting focusing on the interplay between the participants' inner and outer dialogues. The network meeting is between an adolescent boy, his mother and two network therapists, the same adolescent case discussed previously in this journal by Bøe et al. (2013). The aim of this study is to explore how the interplay between inner and outer dialogues contributes to significant and meaningful moments for the interlocutors. A multiperspective methodology is used that combines video recordings of a network meeting and participant interviews with text analysis. Our research found the interplay has an important role in understanding the emergence of significant and meaningful moments in therapy. A one-sided focus on participants' utterances or inner dialogues was insufficient to explain their significance and meaning to the interlocutors. A dialogical approach provides a theoretical frame and concepts that are useful in investigations of therapeutic conversations.Keywords: dialogism, dialogical practice, inner and outer dialogues, polyphony, network meeting, family therapy, therapeutic conversations, significant and meaningful moments Key Points 1 A dialogical framework is useful in the investigation of therapeutic conversations in a network meeting. 2 A multiperspective methodology combines video recordings of a network meeting and participant interviews with text analysis. 3 This research demonstrates the interplay between inner and outer dialogues and has an important role in understanding the emergence of significant and meaningful moments in therapy. 4 The therapeutic conversation and the participants' inner dialogues form a circle of meaning, experiences, and negotiations, which contribute to the reactions of the participants. 5 Significant and meaningful moments in therapeutic conversations are related more to the interplay between inner and outer dialogues and less to the number of utterances made by a participant. 6 Given the diversity of voices and dialogues present in a multipersonal therapeutic conversation it is important to ensure sufficient time to listen to our inner voices and dialogues in the therapeutic conversation.The aim of this article is to explore the interplay between inner and outer dialogues of participants in a network meeting by focusing on moments that all experience as significant and meaningful. The network meeting is based on dialogism,
Within mental health research, the promise of exploring the lived experience of those affected is increasingly acknowledged. This research points to the significance of social aspects. The present study is part of a series of qualitative studies exploring network-oriented practices in southern Norway. The aim of this study was to explore the social dynamics of change related to adolescents in psychosocial crises. From the perspective of lived experience the study focused changes related to the ado-
As a part of a larger research project, this qualitative study explores the interplay between an outer dialogue and participants' inner dialogues in network therapy with adolescents in the mental healthcare system for children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to explore how the participants' inner dialogues contribute to significant and meaningful moments in the therapeutic meeting. A multiperspective methodology is used that combines video recordings of network therapy sessions and participants' interviews with text analysis. Our research found that the participants' inner dialogues are essential in the development of significant and meaningful moments during a therapeutic conversation. We also found that one of the main reasons that inner dialogues are essential in the emergence of such moments is that they contain many different movements, both in time and between positions.
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