Reading between the lines : An ecosystemic description of a therapeutic relationship around dyslexia

by Jansen, Ilze.

This is a descriptive study of the therapeutic relationship between Thando, who has been diagnosed with dyslexia and Ilze, an intern counseling psychologist. During our therapeutic relationship Thando’s view of herself and her diagnosed dyslexia improved remarkably. The improvement came without any specifically planned strategies or interventions. This study attempts to describe what happened in the therapeutic relationship to bring about the changes that occurred and attempts to give meaning to the changes. The study describes the impact that a diagnosis can have on the life of the diagnosed individual. It also suggests that the discovery of the person behind the label may be a therapeutic antidote to the negative affects that may result from such a diagnosis. A qualitative approach is taken and the data is presented through a case study and unstructured interviews. The interviews provide valuable information about Thando’s experience of the changes that occurred in her as well as her experience of someone who lives with a diagnostic label like dyslexia. Key terms: therapeutic relationship, diagnosis, dyslexia, trust, qualitative approach, case study, ecosystemic 4 University of Pretoria etd – Jansen, I (2005)