Between Tele relation and I-Thou meeting: The therapeutic value of the psychodramatic concept of Tele from a Buberian approach

Abstract

Tele is one of the most elusive and enigmatic concepts in psychodramatic theory. Although It represents one of the five main therapeutic factors that operate in psychodramatic practice, the lack of clarity and multiple meanings of the concept make it difficult to use clinically or even as a general therapeutic guideline. The present paper proposes that the concept of Tele may be elucidated by using Martin Buber’s philosophy of dialog. It demonstrates how Tele overlaps with Buber’s concept of I-Thou and how, for both concepts, it is the intersubjective encounter which is the mainstay of self-constitution. This paper maintains that the concept of Tele represents a major therapeutic idea, namely, that selfhood may only be revealed and expanded via an authentic meeting with another selfhood. The notion of Tele invites the therapist to encourage the creation of an I-Thou relation in the therapeutic space, based on the assumption that this is the main road through which the patient may connect with his or her deep subjectivity.