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- Title
Informed by the ancients: Norse mythology and psychotherapy.
- Authors
Smith, Edward W.L.
- Abstract
The myth of Kvasir is presented, in part. Through hermeneutic discourse, a case is made that the ancient Norseman had an understanding of the psychotherapeutic arts which finds parallel in contemporary thought. The myth evidences the distinction between: (1) the offering of needed information; and (2) the facilitation of personal, growth-oriented exploration. In contemporary terms, this is the distinction sometimes drawn beween "counseling" and "psychotherapy", respectively. More thorough and careful exegesis of the myth reveals the ubiquitous importance of the personhood of the therapist. It is through the "person of the therapist" that the therapeutic techniques are given life. The ancient wisdom contained in the myth of Kvasir may server as inspiration and guidance for the contemporary psychotherapist.
- Subjects
PSYCHOTHERAPY; NORSE mythology
- Publication
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 1999, Vol 40, Issue 3
- ISSN
0036-5564
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/1467-9450.00119