Assimilation of Problematic Experiences in Linguistic Therapy of Evaluation: A Case Study

Abstract

In this article the process of assimilation in the problematic experience of tiredness of one patient, María, is shown. María was treated with linguistic therapy of evaluation (LTE), a therapy midway between constructivist and cognitive therapies based on the theory of General Semantics, for 14 sessions. María was one of the most successful cases of LTE. Aims of the study were to show the process of assimilation in a case with good outcome and to explore if this process shows an irregular pattern, with setbacks or jumps between stages. This process is analyzed by the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES), an eight-stage scale that shows the process of assimilation from an experience being warded off, avoided, in vague awareness, clarified, understood, solutions applied, and finally resolved and integrated into the self. Results showed, first, that the process of assimilation reaches APES Stages 5 (application) and 6 (problem solution), and, second, that the process of assimilation showed a clear sawtoothed, irregular pattern.