A relational-cultural model: healing through mutual empathy.
Relational-cultural theory offers an alternative to traditional theories of psychological development. Whereas traditional theories view mature functioning as characterized by movement from dependence to independence, relational-cultural theory suggests that maturity involves growth toward connection and relationship throughout the life span. After contrasting these two theoretical perspectives, the author describes a therapeutic approach based on the relational-cultural model, which involves mutual empathy and working with shame. A case example illustrates this approach. The author suggests that the relational-cultural model has applications at both the personal and societal levels.
Harvard Medical School, MA, USA. JVJordan@aol.com
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D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010553:Personality Development; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes