Reminiscing

Holocaust Testimony

“…Reminiscence is generally regarded as a psychosocial process with the goals of increased socialization and communication as opposed to the psychoanalytical process of life review with ego integrity as the objective (Haight & Burnside, 1993;Kovach, 1990). The therapeutic value of reminiscing and reviewing one's life is discussed in the literature and is documented by research and reports (Ebersole, 1976;Hamner, 1984;Molinari & Reichlin, 1984-1985Clements, 1986;Haight, 1988;Haight & Burnside, 1993;Burnside & Haight, 1994;Bar-Tur & Levy-Schiff, 1994;Gustafson, 1994;Brady, 1999;Tilki, 2000). It has generally been found that recalling the past helps people adjust to life changes, and provides a sense of continuity, integrity and purpose within the person's current life (Burnside & Haight, 1994;Brady, 1999;Jonsdottir et al, 2001).…”

Group counseling with nursing home residents

“…Reminiscing group therapy was primarily developed by Priscilla Ebersole (Ebersole, 1976a(Ebersole, , 1976b from the "life review" writings by Robert Butler (Lewis & Butler, 1974). Butler believed that the elderly go through a period of reviewing the events of their lives and coming to some personal resolution regarding the benefit or harm of their past behavior.…”

Life Review:

“…Talking about a patient's past is one way of examining a client's past coping mechanisms, which can often be applied to current problem-solving (Ebersole, 1976). Details which occur spontaneously may reflect aspects of the current situation that are bothersome or troubling and need to be addressed by the therapist.…”

“…Details which occur spontaneously may reflect aspects of the current situation that are bothersome or troubling and need to be addressed by the therapist. In a nutshell, the natural tendency of the aged to reminisce gives the therapist a perfect opportunity to learn about a client's past life, his hardships and usual ways of coping with fears and life crises, his strengths and weaknesses and his fears and triumphs, all of which, if applied skillfully to the situation a t hand, can contribute to the patient's well-being (Ebersole, 1976). Activities of value, which a therapist should strive to help a patient to maintain or regain, can often be identified (Harris & Harris, 1980).…”

“…Those who talk about the good old days are usually fairly well-adjusted and are satisfied with their lot in life and historic time (Ebersole, 1976). therapist to recognize habitual patterns and deal with these persons efficiently when in contact with them.…”