Touch: its use in psychotherapy

Strozier, Anne L.; Krizek, Claudette; Sale, Kimberly

doi:10.1080/0265053032000071457

Cited by 20 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…For example, avoiding a proffered handshake could be insulting and damaging to a developing therapeutic relationship. Strozier, Krizek, and Sale (2003), in a study exploring social workers reasons for use of touch, provide a thorough review of the complicated controversy regarding the use of touch in psychotherapy. The opposing philosophies range from touch as healing, to touch as traumatic.…”

Section: Touchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Self: A Primer Revisited

Dewane

2005

Clin Soc Work J

101

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Use of self is a concept that is universally accepted yet equally ambiguous. Melding the professional self of what one knows (training, knowledge, techniques) with the personal self of who one is (personality traits, belief systems, and life experience) is a hallmark of skilled practice. This paper synthesizes seminal works regarding the concept of use of self and suggests a five-category typology for defining and describing use of self in social work practice. Drawing from the literature and practice wisdom gleaned from the author's clinical, teaching, and supervisory observations, the article proposes that use of self can be operationally defined as: use of personality; use of belief system; use of relational dynamics; use of anxiety; and use of self-disclosure.

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Section: Touchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Self: A Primer Revisited

Dewane

2005

Clin Soc Work J

101

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“…The literature surrounding touch supports the opinion that its use with clients is controversial (Strozier et al. 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Nonetheless, despite occurring in practice, touch remains a subject that is not openly discussed among social work practitioners (Strozier et al. 2003).…”

Section: Reviewing the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of touch appears to occupy an unsure space and has tended to remain an ambiguous area for many. Social workers, therefore report feelings of uncertainty about the ‘appropriateness’ of touch, and express personal concerns that ‘using touch with clients is controversial’ (Strozier et al. 2003, p. 50).…”

Section: Reviewing the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…2003, p. 50). In their exploratory study with social work practitioners, Strozier et al. (2003) illustrate situations where social workers engaged in touching behaviours as interventions with children.…”

Section: Reviewing the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

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‘More than Words’: touch practices in child and family social work

Lynch

Garrett

2010

Child & Family Social Work

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This paper explored the subject of physical touch occurring between social workers and children in the Republic of Ireland. Here, it was maintained that touch practices occupy an ambiguous area for social work practitioners. The empirical component was based on interviews that were conducted with a small group of practitioners in one particular Irish county. The study provided insight into the social workers' personal experiences of, and opinions on, touch with children in the context of their practice. Despite a lack of prescriptive ‘do's and don'ts’ regarding physical touch and social work, the findings suggested that social workers do not consciously engage in physical touch with children. Rather, touch occurs as a result of practicality and safety concerns for a child. Recognized as beneficial in terms of communication, reassurance and conveying empathy, touch practices are also guided by a fear of misinterpretation, allegations and concern for causing harm to the child. The place of physical touch with children is regarded as being outside the remit of the social work role. Despite this, a majority of those interviewed spoke of a desire to have more discussion and guidance on the subject of physical touch with children within their work locations.

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Use of physical touch in the "talking cure": A journey to the outskirts of psychotherapy.

Bonitz¹

2008

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

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The present literature review examines how physical touch has been used by therapists with their clients in traditional verbal psychotherapy. Attitudes and practices of therapists are presented in a historical context, starting with physicians' treatment of female hysteria in the 19th century, and concluding with current issues of debate. The use of touch in therapy has been highly controversial ever since Freud stated his principle of abstinence. This paper intends to give an overview of the various positions of influential therapists on the use of touch and their rationale for touching or not touching their clients, including the contextual factors that have shaped the use of touch over time. Furthermore, research findings pertinent to the use of touch in psychotherapy are included. The review concludes with practical recommendations concerning the use of touch in the contemporary therapeutic setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

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Touch: its use in psychotherapy

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Use of Self: A Primer Revisited

Use of Self: A Primer Revisited

‘More than Words’: touch practices in child and family social work

Use of physical touch in the "talking cure": A journey to the outskirts of psychotherapy.

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