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This examination of a ‘Case Study’ approach to psychotherapy research originates from a study focusing on the potential for therapy with a person diagnosed with dementia who was resident in a care setting. The paper begins by looking at a contrast between idealism and realism in order to identify the epistemological basis for a critique of the claims made by Freud for psychoanalysis in relation to research.
The difference between philosophical realism and idealism are considered in relation to a scientific method of research. The arguments outlined in this paper suggest that much of what scientists claim to be statements or definitions of what is actually in the world are no more than their opinion. If Freud's case studies are similarly judged in terms of ‘opinion’, much of the criticisms directed at his case study method become far less significant. Despite Freud's claims that psychoanalysis was associated with the realism of science the case study approach advocated by him could be seen to have more of a grounding in idealism, where knowledge can be seen in terms of describing possibilities rather than in the pursuit of a definitive truth.
The work of Husserl and Heidegger are examined in relation to Freud's approach to case studies and a phenomenological perspective is considered that provides a basis for valuing ‘opinion’ in terms of an approach to research. The use of case study as a legitimate descriptive method in psychotherapeutic research is further considered by presenting a phenomenological hermeneutic case study method utilizing clinical material.