Scrittura autobiografica e ricerca di senso: uno studio di caso

The therapeutic process of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis generally makes use of socratic dialogue and other conversational techniques, whose aim is to check and revise a person's dysfunctional frames of mind, to find a new way of looking at him or herself and their lives, and to disclose new perspectives of hope and growth where everything appears blocked and prevented. In this perspective, self-writing represents a powerful therapeutic resource and an underestimated opportunity for facilitating self knowledge and inspiring existential change. As a supplementary tool, autobiographical writing can be employed especially in limit-situations, when people are confronted not only with unavoidable obstacles in their life, but also (and above all) with their attitude and responsibility towards their own existence. This article explains the application of autobiographical writing in existential counseling, through a case where writing allowed a woman to turn the repetitive screenplay of her life into a story of transformation.