Abstract
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
The need was identified to explicate the pragmatics of individual psychotherapy.
It was felt that pragmatics were "neglected" in the contemporary
systemic therapy literature; specifically the work of Bradford
Keeney. The explication of the pragmatic and aesthetic, as descriptive
notations warrant the discussion of diverse and broad conceptual phenomena.
Firstly, a historical backdrop for the shift from purely paradigmatic to
espistemological pertinence in psychotherapeutic theorizing is provided.
This "contextualization" is followed by a conceptual discussion on epistemological
theorizing. The conceptual issues pertaining to the field of
family therapy is "deconstructed" and a "re-constructive" exploration is
undertaken.
Following this "expose" my preferred epistemological stance is posited.
The radical constructivist view of Ernst von Glasersfeld and Kenneth
Gergen's social constructionist movement are elaborated upon. These
proposals are viewed as complementary.
A paradigm - systemic pluralism - is delineated. This paradigm utilizes
ecosystemic theory as a conceptual umbrella for the integration of ideas
from various schools of psychotherapy. It is also argued that this paradigm
is "informed" by the posited epistemological stance.
In conclusion the implications of the preceeding gamut of conceptualization
for the aesthetics and pragmatics of individual psychotherapy is
discussed .