Phenomenology of the Self in trauma patients: Methodology and clinical issues for psychotherapy

Abstract

Phenomenology of the Self for trauma patients, we think, is based on conscious and pre reflective data of experience. Conscious data are linked to thought/behavioral symptoms in trauma patients, while pre-reflective data concern consciousness alterations, cognitive disorders and long-term memory deficits in line to the neurobiological explanation of experience. In this presentation, we are asking about the use of empirical questionnaires in mental health services following the thesis of front-loaded phenomenology. We claim that questionnaires based on front-loaded phenomenology can display qualitative, conscious and pre reflective, data in the most effective way. They’ll be a useful tool for clinical evaluation and cooperation with trauma patients.