Psychotherapy Research and the Study of the First Person Experience

First-person methodologies have become a valid alternative to quantitative and qualitative methods by treating the subject as capable of directly observing and reporting their own subjective experience. This process requires phenomenological training rather than being spontaneous. The article discusses the concept of "the first person" through the works of Varela and Husserl's phenomenology, reviews the main procedures of this methodology, and describes examples in psychopathology research. It highlights how this approach may help bridge the gap between clinical practice and research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Over the last years, the first person methodologies have been transformed into a valid and significant alternative, different from the classic quantitative and qualitative methods. In contrast with other perspectives, the first person approach considers that the subject is able to observe and give a direct account of his subjective process. However, this process, far from being spontaneous and automatic, requires a phenomenological training. The article discusses the notion of “the first person” starting with the works of Varela and Husserl’s Phenomenology. We will review the principal procedures of this methodology and we will describe examples of this kind of research in the field of psychopathology, highlighting the contributions that this approach may provide in order to close the gap between practice and research.