Journal of Trauma & Treatment

Ways of Knowing and Unknowing in Psychotherapy and Clinical Practices

Abstract

Susan Stevens*

Carper’s theory is used to explicate and illustrate ways of knowing in psychotherapy and clinical practice. White
and Munhall’s expansion of Carper’s theory, particularly the pattern of unknowing, is highlighted to explore
psychotherapeutic intervention to illustrate context, intersubjectivity, and new perspectives leading to confidence and
change. A creative encounter using poetry in psychotherapy with a bereaved caregiver who subsequently becomes
a widow provides a lesson in hope versus hopelessness and is used to elucidate the process of how one struggles
with despair to yield to the return of hope. The potential for growth through mutuality and reciprocity for both the
patient and the nurse as embedded with the context of healing relationships is explored. Integrated case narrative
and analysis includes the expertise of a psychiatric nurse practitioner over a one-year period.