7: Therapeutic Positive Autoethnography (ThePosAE)

In this chapter, different forms of positive autoethnography (PosAE) are reflected upon as meaningful interventions in the context of therapeutic work. In addition, the author reflects on the author’s own therapeutic experiences in terms of writing and reading autoethnography. Further, the author presents therapeutic autoethnographic pieces and their interpretation from different therapeutic perspectives including systemic (family) therapy, Carl Gustav Jung’s active imagination intervention and existential therapy.

The author highlights the practical applicability of therapeutic positive autoethnography (ThePosAE), a form of pragmatic autoethnography (PAE), to therapeutic and counselling practice in the context of these described therapeutic perspectives. ThePosAE is presented as a tool that can support savouring, reflection, personal growth and transformation in therapy.