Enter centre stage, the case study …

Abstract

This existentially-informed person-centred paper argues that current conceptualisations of 'case studies' (beloved of psychotherapy training and beyond), can reduce complex/beautiful human beings to flat/objectified characters defined by 'presenting problems' -'presenting problems' which clever therapists 'fix'. In response, the paper develops an arts-based approach: a collaborative, respectful/ethical, narrative 'case study', written as a playa piece of public psychotherapy available for the audience's responses. The play seeks particularly to convey the warmth of encounters between two rounded/unique characters, Deborah and Kate, offering a challenge to the 'us' and 'them' approach of many 'case studies'; it contends that if this is achieved, it is thisrather than narrow/sterile advice about 'assessment', 'formulation' and 'interventions'which establishes the usefulness of the work.