Presentation Information
[SY-70-02]Morita Therapy's treatment process and its resonance with clients' daily lives
*Rieko Shioji (Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan))
Keywords:
Pshychotherapy,Morita Therapy,daily life,quality of life (QOL),anxiety disorder
One of the characteristics of Morita therapy, a psychotherapy that originated and developed in Japan, is that it does not view anxiety as something to be eliminated or controlled, but rather as an expression of humanity. This approach focuses on the client's overall life rather than on controlling specific symptoms or anxieties. For example, for clients with panic disorder who hesitate to go out, encourage them to “go out and buy necessary items” rather than conducting step-by-step training to go out. Shoma Morita, the founder of Morita therapy, described his perspective on client recovery using the following metaphor. "Even from a distance, I can tell the difference between the sound of a maid sweeping and a hospitalized patient sweeping ‘mental cultivation’ and sweeping their own room to keep it clean. Each produces a vigorous sound, a monotonous sound, and a freely changing and complex sound, making it possible to distinguish between them. Thus, when the client's attitude changes to one of “responding immediately” to their surroundings, their lives become more vibrant, and ultimately, their minds become more active. Interviews and diaries are used to share the client’s daily experiences with the therapist. In sessions, detailed descriptions are essential. This presentation explores the interaction between the treatment process of Morita therapy and clients' daily lives.