ABSTRACT

In the clinical interview, if the patient can express himself through free and uninterrupted narration, the therapist is provided with interesting elements, as the narrative structure of the tale reveals more about the patient’s script. Preparing an anamnestic grid to be filled in with the information given by the patient can be helpful at the beginning of therapy. When a person decides to go to a psychotherapist, either to begin therapy or for consultancy, he has to face the problem of choosing. When a therapist is contacted through a medical centre or psychotherapy centre, where the contact is dealt with by a secretary, the person who answers the call may be asked several things. Paying attention to ego states observed during the interview is crucial for a Transactional analysis (TA) therapist. TA therapists often suggest to the person they meet for the first time, a brief experience of exploration so to decide whether to undertake psychotherapy.