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Re‐searching for therapy: the ethics of using what we are skilled in
Author(s) -
WARNE T.,
MCANDREW S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01545.x
Subject(s) - narrative , mental health , popularity , narrative inquiry , parallels , psychology , qualitative research , therapeutic relationship , psychotherapist , narrative therapy , social psychology , sociology , social science , mechanical engineering , philosophy , linguistics , engineering
Accessible summary This paper discusses the use of story telling (sometimes referred to as narrative) as a research method and how by doing this those volunteering to participate in this type of research might find it therapeutic. The paper considers the personal characteristics and skills of the mental health nurse and how these can be transferred from using them therapeutically in clinical practice to the research encounter and what the implications of doing this might be. The paper specifically looks at:• similarities between narrative research and therapy; • what might motivate people to participate in research; • what happens during story telling or narrative; • the importance of looking after the participant and self as a researcher; • the importance of ensuring it is the participant's voice that is heard.Abstract Narrative inquiry as a qualitative research method appears to be growing in popularity among mental health nurses. This paper argues that there are a number of parallels between narrative inquiry and psychotherapy, and mental health nurses familiar with the practice of therapeutic engagement need to be mindful of these when using this approach to research. The symbiotic relationship between those engaged in narrative inquiry and those engaged in psychotherapeutic practice is explored in order to provide greater understanding of some of the ethical issues involved and how new researchers, supervisors and practitioners might better respond to the complexities inherent in using narrative inquiry which may itself be therapeutic. Our focus for this paper is the tensions experienced by the mental health nurse while working as a researcher when the research encounter provides a trigger that would normally elicit a therapeutic response for both participant and nurse. Using a selection of psychoanalytic theories and principles this paper explores the relationship between the processes of psychotherapy and narrative inquiry. This discussion paper is based on the authors' own research experiences of using narrative inquiry to explore a number of sensitive issues and many years of supervisory relationships with students and practitioners alike.