Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapy

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The Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapy (KIP) is a depth psychology-based method introduced by Hanscarl Leuner in 1954, which was initially known under the synonymous terms Katathymes Bilderleben (KB) and symbol drama . Although imaginations are used in a number of psychotherapy methods, the KIP systematizes their application most strongly. In addition to the verbal procedure, it also offers support and stimulation of the symbolization processes, which is seen as a prerequisite for changes in the personality structure.

method

Imagination, visualization and daydreams

The KIP addresses both that special, emotion- oriented imagination on which the procedure is based and its integration into a psychotherapeutic process. In this sense, the KIP is to be defined as a differentiated methodical procedure for handling the daydream technique, which is built on the theoretical foundation of psychoanalysis and takes into account its essential parameters such as transference and countertransference, dynamic unconscious and resistance , pays special attention to symbolic processes and thereby the Gives essential importance to working with imaginations in the form of daydreams. Hanscarl Leuner developed the relevant conceptions of perception, gestalt formation and symbolization on the basis of Ernst Cassirer's symbol theory and the gestalt psychology influenced by him , which also shaped his work in other fields of work (especially his psychopathology ).

In contrast to the visualization techniques of other methods, the catathymic imaginations are characterized by the fact that they not only vividly visualize visual impressions, but also basically include all sensory modalities and unfold in actions of daydream character. The epithet "katathym" is intended to make it clear that these ideas are controlled "out of feeling", i.e. not willingly. To deal with these, the KIP has a large number of teachable and learnable therapeutic interventions ready.

method

The method is divided into a basic, intermediate and advanced level. A number of standard motifs and specific procedures are specified for each level, which have been continuously differentiated and further developed over the past five decades. The basic level includes motifs such as meadow, brook and mountain. At the intermediate level, motifs such as lion and car are used, and at the upper level, motifs such as cave and volcano are used. By relaxing the body beforehand, which is guided by the therapist, there is a controlled regression and relaxation of the defense .

On the image level of the daydream, in addition to the current state of the patient u. a. its characteristics, behavioral peculiarities, resources, motivational structures and central unconscious relationship conflicts symbolically for representation. In addition , the unconscious ideas referred to as “ transference ” about the therapeutic relationship and those experiences with other people that have found their inner soul as so-called “ representations ” are illustrated again and again . The cognitive and affective contents of the daydream can then be understood from a diagnostic point of view and therapeutically addressed in order to slowly and carefully follow them from the surface layers close to the consciousness into the depths of unconscious mental events.

Examples of standard motifs

In order to stimulate pictorial imaginations , Leuner developed a number of fixed motifs (for example flower, house, path). Kottje-Birnbacher describes some of the standard motifs that are used in Katathym-imaginative psychotherapy in more detail and goes into their meaning. The motifs “meadow” and “mountain” should be discussed here.

  • Wiese: In the meadow motif, the patient's current mood and his habitual way of approaching the world are shown. His current mood is characterized by the lushness or barreness, width or limitation of the meadow, by the weather and the season in the picture presented. The actions that the patient performs in his mind show his usual approach to the world. Some patients make themselves comfortable, others want to experience something, others do not really know what to do or what to do, etc. Trees, animals or people can symbolize self and object representations. Likewise, the patient can travel back in time, feel like a child again and revive long-forgotten feelings.
  • Mountain: The mountain with its heights and shapes can provide insight into the patient's level of demands. Narcissistic personalities, for example, tend to create impressive, impassable high mountains, whereas depressed personalities tend to imagine uninteresting little hills. The motif of the mountain can also explore the handling of performance tasks by asking the patient to climb the mountain. The patient can e.g. B. evade the task and see yourself immediately on the top of the mountain or he considers the ascent as not worthwhile. The expectation of the ascent can also be instructive - is the path easy or difficult to master? Are there any obstacles? If so, how does he cope with them? Are they insurmountable or is the patient approaching this challenge ambitiously? Maybe he overestimates himself? It is also interesting to see how the patient feels when he has reached his goal, the summit - is he satisfied, exhausted or lonely? How is the panorama?

application areas

In addition to the treatment of neurotic disorders , the spectrum of indications has also expanded to include other psychogenic disorders (structural ego disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, etc.). The process offers gentle and effective treatment approaches for psychosomatic illnesses. In addition to individual therapy (with special focal therapy options ), the daydream technique is also suitable for couples, family and group therapy as well as for treating children and adolescents.

In trauma therapy , the KIP includes working with the inner child in the treatment. Imaginations are instructed to bring the inner child to a safe, good place and to have it cared for by imaginary helpers.

Recognition in Germany and Austria

In the psychotherapy guideline of the Federal Joint Committee , Katathymes Bilderleben is expressly not mentioned as an independent psychotherapy within the meaning of the guideline. However, it can be used as a health insurance benefit within the framework of a higher-level psychotherapy based on depth psychology .

An independent psychotherapy training for this method is offered by the working group for catathymic picture life and imagination in the psychotherapy AGKB in Göttingen.

In Austria it is one of the state-recognized scientific-psychotherapeutic methods.

See also

literature

  • Hanscarl Leuner (ed.), Continued by Eberhard Wilke: Katathym-imaginative psychotherapy (KiP). Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 2005 (6th edition), ISBN 978-3-13-464406-7 .
  • Leonore Kottje-Birnbacher: Introduction to katathym-imaginative psychotherapy. In: Imagination , Austrian Society for Applied Depth Psychology and General Psychotherapy (ÖGATAP), vol. 23 (4). Facultas-Universitäts-Verlag, Vienna 2001.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ see: Harald Ullmann: The Ros 'ist ohn' why ... About the life of symbols carried by emotions, and: Edith Frank-Rieser: Symbol as the third - symbolization as relationship events: of transparent and opaque effects; both in: Imagination 4/2008 .
  2. ↑ See Leuner's conditional-genetic psychopathology, in Hanscarl Leuner: Die experimental Psychose, Springer, Berlin / Göttingen / Heidelberg 1962 (Reprint VWB, Berlin 1997), pp. 61–67.
  3. ↑ Harald Ullmann and Eberhard Wilke, Handbuch Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapie, Hans Huber Verlag (2012) ISBN 3-456-94988-X
  4. ↑ Psychotherapy Guideline - Federal Joint Committee. Retrieved April 24, 2019 .