Thus, disorders of self form when the sense of self is underdeveloped (e.g., as in anorexia Bacher, 1998), fragmented (e.g., as in dissociative identity disorder McAllister, 2001), or diminished (e.g., as in schizophrenia Lysaker et al., 2018), usually by traumatic experiences. In the CMT literature, a sense of self is described as an abstract, reflective congruity between the inner and outer world of a person, which consequently affords a feeling of adaptive wellbeing (Meares et al., 2012).

The Conversational Model and Graphic MedicineĬMT is a psychodynamic talking therapy which was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (Hobson, 1985 Meares, 2004a), and has since been shown to be efficacious for treatment resistant depression, some complex traumatic disorders, and other disorders of self (Gerull, Meares, Stevenson, Korner, & Newman, 2008 Haliburn, Stevenson, & Halovic, 2018 Hall, Caleo, Stevenson, & Meares, 2001 Korner, Gerull, Meares, & Stevenson, 2006).

More specifically, I describe how the manga/anime Naruto can be used within conversational model therapy (CMT) as graphic medicine. Graphic medicine uses various forms of media entertainment (e.g., comics, graphic novels, and anime) to improve client agency and to facilitate mutual understanding and expectations between both client and health professional (Halovic, 2018). Furthermore, I describe how graphic medicine can be used within psychotherapy, both to relate with the client about their experiences and to educate them on the psychotherapeutic principles and process underlying their treatment. In this paper, I counteract this position by discussing how clients’ passionate interests, which are already loaded with positive affect, can be used in psychotherapy to create more positive therapeutic experiences while still addressing their difficulties. Given that much psychotherapy focuses on the negative feelings associated with symptomatology, it would be reasonable for clients to assume that their positive experiences may have little place in their psychotherapy. Shaun Halovic, PhD, Westmead Psychotherapy Program, Cumberland Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Sydney University.

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