The Unique History of Being Oneself: A Review of the Concept of Authenticity within the Framework of Theories, Literature Findings and Progress in Psychotherapy

Year 2024, , 250 - 270, 31.05.2024

Büşra Aktakka Yıldırım , Adviye Esin Yılmaz

https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1405475

Abstract

Authenticity is an important concept that is directly related to psychological well-being and is mentioned in many theories of clinical psychology. Different psychological theories have various views on the definition of authenticity. While varying definitions according to the theory enrich the view of authenticity, they can also make it difficult to work within a common conceptualization of the concept. This paper reviewed the literature to summarize the different definitions of authenticity and unite them in a common ground. Discussing why authenticity would be important for clinical psychology practice and research and framing the role of psychotherapy in ensuring authenticity were also included in the scope of the study. Considering the commonalities among the theories examined in the study, it can be said that authenticity is shaped by many factors, such as temperament, life experiences, interaction with caregivers, and environment, and can develop throughout life. In addition, it was also inferred that authenticity, which is closely related to psychological health, should be addressed and included in interventions by mental health professionals and researchers working in the field. In this context, it was deduced that it would be important for psychotherapists to discuss and work on authenticity in sessions, regardless of the approach they work with.

Keywords

authenticity, theories of psychotherapy, psychological well-being, clinical psychology

Kendi Olmanın Kendine Has Tarihçesi: Otantiklik Kavramının Kuramlar, Alanyazın Bulguları ve Psikoterapide İlerleyiş Süreci Çerçevesinde Gözden Geçirilmesi

Abstract

Otantiklik, klinik psikoloji kuramlarının birçoğunda bahsi geçen ve psikolojik iyilik hali ile doğrudan ilişkili olan bir kavramdır. Otantikliğin tanımlanmasında farklı psikoloji kuramlarının çeşitli görüşleri vardır. Kuramlara göre çeşitlenen tanımlamalar otantikliğe bakışı zenginleştirmekle birlikte bir yandan da otantikliği ortak bir tanım çerçevesinde çalışmayı zorlaştırmaktadır. Bu nedenle bu yazıda öncelikle farklı otantiklik tanımlamalarını özetlemek ve bunları ortak bir paydada birleştirmeye katkı sunmak amacıyla alanyazın taranmıştır. Ardından otantikliğin klinik psikoloji uygulama ve araştırmaları için neden önemli olduğunun tartışılması ve otantikliğin sağlanmasında psikoterapinin rolünün çerçevelenmesi hedeflenmiştir. İncelenen kuramlar arasında ortaklaşan noktalar otantikliğin; kişinin doğuştan itibaren getirdiği özellikleri, deneyimleri, bakım verenleri ve çevresiyle etkileşimi gibi birçok faktör aracılığıyla şekillendiğine ve yaşam boyu gelişim gösterebildiğine işaret etmektedir. Bunun yanında psikolojik sağlığı yakından ilgilendiren otantikliğin alanda çalışan uzmanlar ve araştırmacılar tarafından ele alınarak müdahale ve araştırma odaklı çalışmalara dahil edilmesinin önemi de anlaşılmaktadır. Bu bağlamda hangi yaklaşım ile çalışıldığı fark etmeksizin, otantikliğin seanslarda konuşulması ve çalışılmasının psikoterapistler için de önemli olacağı düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

otantiklik, özgünlük, psikoterapi kuramları, psikolojik sağlık, klinik psikoloji

Thanks

Çalışmanın son okumasında vermiş olduğu destek dolayısıyla Klinik Psikolog Dr. Neslihan Rugancı'ya teşekkür ederiz.

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