Taking Turns Before the Mirror I: Theory and Setting

Abstract

This article deals with one aspect of mirroring in the group therapeutic context. A group member sitting before a mirror describes in detail his or her face as if creating a self-portrait; the group may give support, share feelings, ask questions, produce associations and so on. Many aspects of this technique are relevant to the Group-analytic tradition though the procedure also has something in common with psychodrama and gestalt. At the same time the process obviously deals with altered states of mind, being closely related to the magical and ritualistic function of a mirror in a cultural tradition.