Applications of Dialogical Self Theory to Psychotherapy: A State-of-the-Art Review

Dialogical Self Theory (DST) has influenced psychotherapy theory and practice in several ways. However, there are few clinical interventions that directly derive from DST and that apply it in therapeutic practice. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of recent applications of DST in psychotherapy, with an emphasis on concrete interventions that may be utilized in the context of therapeutic practice. It examines interventions that facilitate dialogical changes in clients as well as therapeutic activities enhancing the development of dialogue among I-positions. When reviewing the published DST-based clinical interventions, it becomes clear that, after the initial pioneer work of Hermans, who described a process of exploring voices in the therapeutic context, there have been more recently specific interventions, mainly in the form of structured exercises to identify the client’s voice repertoire and expand and reorganize it through empowering previously silenced voices. These interventions were mostly published after 2018, indicating an emerging trend in the field. This trend is in need of further development mainly through developing intervention protocols, implementing them to various settings and client groups and adjusting accordingly. Further research should also evaluate the process and appropriateness of their implementation as well as their effectiveness in bringing about client change.