2025/12/22 by Rinat Halabi · 1 voice
Psychology · #Child Therapy and Development #Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics #Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy
paper · doi:10.1080/10720537.2025.2592549
openalex created_date 2025/12/22 · openalex publication_date 2025/12/22 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/14
This article presents TILS (Touching Inner Life Stories), a structured and innovative narrative–experiential approach that facilitates safe and gradual processing of life events. Drawing on philosophical hermeneutics and narrative identity theory, TILS integrates principles from narrative therapy, bibliotherapy, Jungian depth psychology, and Winnicott’s concept of transitional space to create a unique framework for engaging with inner stories. The method guides participants through three sequential roles: as observers, they respond to external stimuli such as pictures, drawings, or folk tales while maintaining safe emotional distance without requiring immediate self-disclosure; as actors, they imaginatively enter the narrative scene and interact with its characters through guided imagery; and as directors, they connect the imaginative experience to personal memories, reenact these memories, and reframe them with empowering meanings through dialogue and creative expression. A detailed case study demonstrates how this three-stage process enables participants to uncover hidden narratives, resolve internal conflicts, and construct new meanings that strengthen personal agency, resilience, and self-understanding. This method has proven effective with children, adolescents, and adults, offering a creative bridge between imagination, dialogue, and personal transformation. By combining structured progression with playful creativity, TILS contributes to emotional healing and fosters the development of adaptive life narratives that enhance psychological well-being and resilience.