The Contribution of the Collaborative Use of the Rorschach Test in Togo

Abstract

Abstract: The case study presented in this paper demonstrates the utility of a collaborative discussion of the Rorschach Test. In a context marked by dependence on the psychologist and lack of elaboration, discussing Rorschach responses with clients has the potential of engaging them actively in therapy. The present case concerns a young man with delusional disorder. The Rorschach’s collaborative discussion made it possible to build a stronger therapeutic alliance between the client and the psychologist. Indeed, this discussion helped the client to express homosexual fantasies, an otherwise unacceptable social taboo. It also helped him to talk profusely about his family and religion during the therapy. In the absence of normative data on the Rorschach Test in the Togolese population, this collaborative discussion relies on the clinician’s intention to directly use the personal meaning of the Rorschach responses to advance psychotherapy.