Ritual, Change and Psychotherapy

Abstract

Symptomatic behavior often appears or is initially perceived during transitional stages in the life cycle when changes in behavior and relationships are culturally appropriate. Symptomatic behavior legitimates lack of change in the relationships of the symptomatic individual and those in his or her social context. By this it provides a pseudo-solution to the universal problem of dependency and autonomy (Sluzki & Vernon, 1971), which must be solved by individuals in every society. (van Gennep, 7960) to ritualistically mark significant transition. The performance of these rituals helps individuals change their position in the socia/context while at the same time validating the context. Rites of passage are characterized by paradoxical communications. The paradoxical structure of these rituals will be described and implications for the use of ritual in family therapy will be suggested using a case example as illustration. Many non-Western societies have rites of passage

The natural history of a drug treatment system.

“…Clients' appropriate behavior and progress during the process of treatment must be highlighted and rewarded at each step. Changes toward more adequate functioning by clients should be celebrated, utilizing rituals (21) as a means to help make clear transitions in status.…”