The application of teret-teret as a psychotherapy technique in the context of Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine whether Ethiopian oral stories and narratives, known as teret-teret (a story, a story), could be used as a psychotherapy technique in Ethiopia. Thirteen participants were purposively chosen for the study based on their experience with teret-teret application. They included nine elders, two folklore experts, and two counselors. In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings demonstrated that teret-teret was a beneficial psychotherapy technique used in Ethiopia to help young adolescents mitigate their socio-emotional and behavioral challenges. The implications of the findings highlight the necessity of reconstructing and using teret-teret in structured and formal ways in schools, childcare facilities, and communities. It also suggests that future studies should concentrate on extended longitudinal studies that use a mixed-methods design.