Abstract
AbstractOne frequently heard critique of psychotherapy, particularly in feminist circles, is that it individualizes client's problems, i.e. they are shorn of their social significance and reduced to personal (psychological) shortcomings of the client herself. The present paper attempts to demonstrate what this phenomenon might look like at the level of the actual conversational interaction between the client and her therapist. It will become clear that the (re)formulation of the client's initial version of her troubles is by no means a spontaneous artefact of the therapeutic interview, but the result of considerable interactional ‘work’ on the part of the therapist. The process of problem (re)formulation consists of three analytically distinct stages, which are accomplished primarily by means of the everyday conversational device of ‘formulations.’ By using formulations in a special way, the therapist is able to transform the client's difficulties in her situation as full‐time housewife and mother into a typical ‘therapy problem’.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
