Susanna's Self-Cognitive Theory

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Recommended: Narrative techniques and other therapy

Theory and Practice
After reviewing the case of Susanna, two theories of practice have been deemed applicable for her therapy: self-psychology and narrative theory. First, self-psychology conceptualizes the idea that the sense of self is dependent upon the empathy of a significant individual, labeled as a self-object. This theory is utilized in clients with emotional injury related to traumatic life events, specifically related to self-object failure. Self-objects are primarily parental figures during childhood. According to Power (2015), Susanna idealized her mother referring to her as “the most beautiful and exciting person she had ever known”, solidifying her mother as a self-object (p. 18).
Self-psychology emphasizes three relationships: …show more content…

These practice theories both seek to establish stability, relating to past life events in order to achieve a sense of self in order to build on psychological growth in new experiences. The therapist’s role in both of the theories mentioned requires a great deal of active listening in order to establish the rapport that is essential for these therapies to be effective. However, these practice theories differ. Self-psychology enlists coping mechanisms related to a self-object, while narrative theory aids the client in establishing coping skills within themselves, without recognition from another individual. Self-psychology may be more applicable in the case of Susanna, due to the implied lack of self-objects during her childhood. However, narrative theory may not be overlooked, as this may provide Susanna with the means for establishing self-acceptance not only in past events, but also in moving …show more content…

It is a clinician administered assessment. The data obtained from the interview is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. According to Linehan, et al. (2006), the SASII is both reliable and valid. There is no reference whether training is required in the use of this assessment tool. Scoring is normally done by computer. The assessment instrument is readily available but requires the use of a statistics software program such as SPSS for scoring analysis which would incur an associated cost (“Suicide Attempt”, 2006). The SPSS code is available for results

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