Medicine, Mind and Adolescence 2001, XVI, 1-2
Antonella Robatto1
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Introduction:
Imy , is a pretty twenty year-old Dominican girl who, having married a local native, has been living in the Canton Ticino since 1998. Despite the distance that separates her from her numerous family members, she manages to maintain with them, a satisfactory relationship.
During our conversation, I take note of her calm demeanour and her will to chat. She is visibly comfortable in my presence and appeals to both sympathy and emotions.
Imy aborted in February of ’99, and in March of the same year witnessed her father-in-law’s sudden death.
These events had been previously predicted by a fortune-teller whom, against her husband’s approval, Imy has continued to frequent.
Objectives:
Imy appears to have passively accepted her duties in life and recent past
choices. She seems confined to a pure wife-role, assuming the care of
husband and household without any chance of feeding and nourturing her
expectations.
Our approach was geared to making the young woman aware of her own resources,
help her increase self-esteem, and acquire a sense of autonomy and independence.
All this, without breaking ties with her own cultural beliefs.
Method:
The methodology adopted was based on Kairologic counselling.
Results:
The regaining of self-consciousness and self –image have made of
Imy a stronger and decisive individual. The improved quality of life that
has resulted with the addition of social activities, have transformed
Imy into a self-confident protagonist.
Conclusions:
Imy put much effort into the foreign world and culture she entered. Through
her own willingness and the various resources made available to her through
Counselling, Imy has been able to overcome fears and difficulties and
has “crossed over” from the passive spectator state to that
of protagonist of her own life.
Key Words: self-consciousness, autonomy, independence,
foreign culture, fortune teller, ability to adapt.
1. Correspondence to: Dr.ssa Antonella Robatto, Via Pazzalino 11, 6962
Viganello, Lugano (Svizzera).
