Innovative Moments as Markers of Meaningful Change: Introducing the Special Section

Abstract

This special section contains studies in which innovative moments are used as markers of changes in meaning in psychotherapy. Innovative moments, as an empirical operationalization of the concept of “unique outcomes” from narrative therapy, have been used as a strategy to evaluate changes in meaning in psychotherapy sessions and interviews. Innovative moments are defined as exceptions to the problematic pattern of meaning that is associated with clients’ suffering. The emergence of these change markers indicates that flexibility is occurring in the meaning system. This special section contains five studies. Esposito et al. address innovative moments in group intervention by considering the idea that these events are not just individual but also interactional and collective events. Shimshi et al. study shifts between self-states and their relation to innovative moment production in therapy. These shifts are associated with the production of innovative moments, providing further support for the idea that flexibility and the emergence of these change markers are associated. Leeav et al. analyze the relationship between innovative moment production and the therapeutic alliance in a single case study. Fernandez-Navarro et al. interview therapists to understand whether coding innovative moments in sessions may help therapists become more attuned to these events in practice. Finally, Koustafa et al. analyze the evolution of innovative moments in a small sample of individuals with bulimia nervosa. Together, these studies illustrate the potential of this concept as well the domains in which it may be applicable.