https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2022.613
What is therapeutic? Analysis of the narratives available on the websites of Italian addiction rehab centres to present the therapeutic programme
Submitted: February 17, 2022
Accepted: August 25, 2022
Published: September 1, 2022
Accepted: August 25, 2022
Abstract Views: 3011
PDF: 520
HTML: 12
HTML: 12
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
In recent years, the use of the adjective “therapeutic” has expanded to encompass a great variety of experiences, blurring the line between what is effectively therapeutic and what is not. Proceeding from the idea that a word’s meaning is linked to its use in a particular linguistic game, we will analyse the etymons “therapy” and “psychotherapy” and the change in their meanings over time. This background will guide us in the qualitative analysis of the so-called “therapeutic activities” available on the websites of 14 Italian therapeutic communities for treating addiction. Four main master narratives emerge from our investigation. These are characterised by biomedical assumptions, pedagogical principles, religious precepts, and moral values, respectively. Activities are considered therapeutic per se rather than based on theoretical assumptions regarding change. In the light of our results, the adjective “therapeutic” has become a domain of common sense, which poses the threat of undue reification of the linguistic game that expresses it.
Austin, J. L. (1962). How to do things with words. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bamberg, M., & Andrews, M. (Eds.). (2004). Considering counter-narratives: Narrating, resisting, making sense (Vol. 4). Amsterdam: J. Benjamins.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/sin.4
Barclay, M. W. (1997). The metaphoric foundation of literal language: towards a theory of the reification and meaning of psychological constructs. Theory & Psychology, 7, 355–372. doi:10.1177/ 0959354397073004.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354397073004
Berger, P. & Luckmann, T. (1969). La costruzione sociale della realtà. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Brooks, J. & King, N. (2012). Qualitative psychology in the real world: The utility of template analysis. In: 2012 British Psychological Society Annual Conference, 18th 20th April 2012, London, UK.
Cardano, M. (2011). La ricerca qualitativa. Bologna: il Mulino.
Cipolletta, S., Frassoni, E., Faccio, E. (2018) Construing a therapeutic relationship online: An analysis of videoconference sessions, Clinical Psychologist, 22 (2), pp. 220-229. DOI: 10.1111/cp.12117
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12117
Curi, U. (2017). Le parole della cura. Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore.
Edwards, D., & Potter, J. (1992). Discursive psychology. London: Sage.
Faccio, E. (2011) What works with individuals in a clinical setting? Frontiers in Psychology, 2 (JAN), art. no. Article 2 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00002
Faccio, E., Aquili, L., Anonymous, Rocelli, M. (2022) When the non-sharing of therapeutic goals becomes the problem: The story of a consumer and his addiction to methadone, Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 29 (2), pp. 174-180. DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12793
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12793
Faccio, E., Author, A., Rocelli, M. (2021) It's the way you treat me that makes me angry, it's not a question of madness: Good and bad practice in dealing with violence in the mental health services, Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 28 (3), pp. 481-487. DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12690
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12690
Faccio, E., Belloni, E., Castelnuovo, G. (2012) The power semantics in self and other repertory grid representations: A comparison between obese and normal-weight adult women, Frontiers in Psychology, 3 (DEC), art. no. Article 517, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00517
Faccio, E., Centomo, C., Mininni, G. (2011) "Measuring up to Measure" Dysmorphophobia as a Language Game, Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 45 (3), pp. 304-324. DOI: 10.1007/s12124-011-9179-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-011-9179-2
Faccio, E., Costa, N. (2013) The presentation of self in everyday prison life: Reading interactions in prison from a dramaturgic point of view, Global Crime, 14 (4), pp. 386-403. DOI: 10.1080/17440572.2013.831761
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17440572.2013.831761
Faccio, E., Mininni, G., Rocelli, M. (2018) What it is like to be “ex”? Psycho-discursive analysis of a dangling identity, Culture and Psychology, 24 (2), pp. 233-247. DOI: 10.1177/1354067X17735502
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X17735502
Faccio, E., Pocobello, R., Vitelli, R., Stanghellini, G. (2022) Grounding co-writing: An analysis of the theoretical basis of a new approach in mental health care, Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12835
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12835
Faccio, E., Turco, F., Iudici, A. (2019) Self-writing as a tool for change: The effectiveness of a psychotherapy using diary, Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 22 (2), pp. 256-264. DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2019.378
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2019.378
Foucault, M. (1963). Naissance de la clinique. Une archéeologie du regard médical. Paris: P.U.F.
Galli, G. (2009). Gestalt psychology, personality, phenomenal person. Gestalt Theory Phaenomenal, 1(1), 42–43.
Genoe, M. R., Cripps, D., Park, K., Nelson, S., Ostryzniuk, L., & Boser, D. (2021). Meanings of therapeutic recreation: professionals’ perspectives. Leisure/Loisir, 45(1), 35-51.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2021.1872411
Gergen, K. J. (1994). Realities and relationships, soundings in social construction. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Giunta Regionale Lombardia. (7 aprile 2003). Deliberazione n. VII/ 12621. http://www.agespi.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DGR-12621-7_04_2003-requisiti-dipendendenze.pdf
Giunta Regionale Lombardia. (1 ottobre 2018). Deliberazione n. 585. https://inapp.org/it/strumenti/normativa/norme-regionali/lombardia-deliberazione-giunta-regionale-1-ottobre 2018-n-xi585
Giunta Regionale Veneto. (16 gennaio 2007). Deliberazione n. 84. https://bur.regione.veneto.it/BurvServices/pubblica/DettaglioDgr.aspx?id=194858
Grossen, M. (2010). Interaction analysis and psychology: a dialogical perspective. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 44, 1–22. doi:10.1007/s12124-009-9108-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-009-9108-9
Harrè, R., & Gillett, G. (1994). The discursive mind. Los Angeles: Sage Publication.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452243788
Harrè, R., & Tissaw, M. A. (2005). Wittgenstein and psychology. A practical guide. Burlington: Ashgate.
Hyman, S. E. (2010). The diagnosis of mental disorders: the problem of reification. Annual review of clinical psychology, 6, 155-179.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091532
Iudici, A., Castelnuovo, G., Faccio, E. (2015) New drugs and polydrug use: Implications for clinical psychology, Frontiers in Psychology, 6 (MAR), art. no. 267. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00267
Iudici, A., Salvini, A., Faccio, E., Castelnuovo, G. (2015) The clinical assessment in the legal field: An empirical study of bias and limitations in forensic expertise, Frontiers in Psychology, 6 (NOV), art. no. 1831, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01831
King, N. (1998). Template analysis. In G. Symon & C. Cassell (Eds.), Qualitative methods and analysis in organisational research. A practical guide (pp. 118–134). London: Sage Publications.
Li, C. (2018). Where words trap the mind: The bewitchment of psychotherapy. Language and Psychoanalysis, 7(1), 84-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.7565/landp.v7i1.1584
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7565/landp.v7i1.1584
Lyra, M. C. D. P. (2010). On interaction analysis and dialogical perspective: emergent patterns of order and relational agency. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 44, 273–280.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-010-9130-y
Maratos, A., Gold, C., Wang, X., & Crawford, M. (2008). Music therapy for depression. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (1).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004517.pub2
Mille, C., Barthe, E., Saint Come, M. B., & Delhaye, M. (2015). Thérapies avec médiations, ou la thérapeutique par surcroît: comment et quand poser l’indication d’un projet de soins «paradoxal»?. Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence, 63(5), 332-340.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurenf.2014.11.003
Mininni, G. (1995). Discorsiva mente. Napoli: Edizioni Scientifiche Italiane.
Mininni, G. (2003). Il discorso come forma di vita. Napoli: Guida.
Mininni, G. (2010). The method of dialogue: transaction through interaction. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 44(1), 23–29.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-009-9111-1
Montanari, F. (2004). GI, Vocabolario della lingua greca. Torino: Loescher Editore.
Nardone, G. & Salvini, A. (2013). Dizionario internazionale di psicoterapia. Milano: Garzanti.
Neri, J., Iudici, A., Faccio, E. (2020) The concept of “normality” in medical and psychological sciences: Differences and interconnections, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social and Community Studies, 15 (1), pp. 35-45. DOI: 10.18848/2324- 7576/CGP/v15i01/35-45
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2324-7576/CGP/v15i01/35-45
Potter, J., & Wetherell, M. (1987). Discourse and social psychology: Beyond attitudes and behaviour. London: Sage.
Rakel, R. E. (2021, February 21). Therapeutics. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/therapeutics. Accessed August 26, 2021
Romaioli, D., Faccio, E. (2012) When therapists do not know what to do: informal types of eclecticism in psychotherapy Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 15 (1), pp. 10-21. DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2012.92
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2012.92
Rorty, A. O. (1980). Where does the akratic break take place? Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 58(4), 333–346.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00048408012341341
Salvatore, S., & Valsiner, J. (2008). Idiographic science on its way: Towards making sense of psychology. In S. Salvatore, J. Valsiner, S. Strouts, & J. Clegg (Eds.), YIS: Yearbook of idiographic science, 1, 9–19. Roma: Firera.
Salvini, A. (1998). Psicologia clinica. Padova: UPSEL.
Salvini A. (2006). Normalità/Anormalità. In F. Barale, M. Bertani, V. Gallese, S. Mistura, A. Zamperini (Cur.), Dizionario sulla storia delle scienze della psiche. Torino: Einaudi.
Salvini, A., Faccio, E., Mininni, G., Romaioli, D., Cipolletta, S., Castelnuovo, G. (2012) Change in psychotherapy: A dialogical analysis single-case study of a patient with bulimia nervosa, Frontiers in Psychology, 3 (DEC), art. no. Article 546, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00546
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00546
Szasz, T. S. (1961). Il mito della malattia mentale. Milano: Il Saggiatore.
Szasz, T. S. (1978). Il mito della psicoterapia. Milano: Feltrinelli Editore.
Treccani (n.d.). Psicoterapia. In Treccani.it. https://treccani.it/vocabolario/psicoterapia/. Accessed August, 26, 2021
Valsiner, J. (2009). Integrating psychology within the globalizing world: a requiem to the post-modernist experiment with Wissenschaft. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 43, 1–21. doi:10.1007/s12124-009-9087-x.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-009-9087-x
Waskul, D. & Vannini, P. (2016). Body/embodiment: Symbolic interaction and the sociology of the body. New York: Routledge.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315569635
Wetherell, M. (2008). Subjectivity or psycho-discursive practices? Investigating complex intersectional identities. Subjectivity, 22, 73–81.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/sub.2008.7
Wittgenstein, L. (1921). Logisch-Philosophische Abhandlung. Annalen der Naturphilosophie, 14, 185– 262. Leipzig.
Wittgenstein L. (1929), Philosophisch Grammatik, In Rhees R. (Cur.) Oxford: Blackwell.
Wittgenstein, L. (1963). Ricerche filosofiche (Philosophische Untersuchungen, 1953). Torino: Einaudi.
Wittgenstein, L. (1980). Bemerkungen über die Philosophie der Psychologie. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Zingarelli, N. (2003). Lo Zingarelli, Vocabolario della lingua italiana. Bologna: Zanichelli Editore.
How to Cite
Faccio, E., Aquili, L., & Rocelli, M. (2022). What is <em>therapeutic</em>? Analysis of the narratives available on the websites of Italian addiction rehab centres to present the therapeutic programme. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2022.613
Copyright (c) 2022 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.
Similar Articles
- Sarah Abraham, Elisabeth Edginton, David Cottrell, Sandy Tubeuf, Measuring health-related quality of life measures in children: lessons from a pilot study , Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome: Vol. 25 No. 1 (2022)
- Maria Pontillo, Maria Cristina Tata, Roberto Averna, Prisca Gargiullo, Silvia Guerrera, Stefano Vicari, Clinical profile, conversion rate, and suicidal thinking and behaviour in children and adolescents at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a theoretical perspective , Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome: Vol. 23 No. 1 (2020)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
