Voice Dialogue: A grounded theory study on the meaningfulness of the Aware Ego Process

This is a study on the meaningfulness of the Aware Ego Process (AEP), which is an aspect of Voice Dialogue. The meaningfulness of the subjective experience of the AEP is explored from the first hand perspectives of eight currently practicing licensed psychotherapists (MFTs, LCSWs, and psychologists). The grounded theory methodology of Strauss and Corbin (1998) is used to collect and to analyze data. Voice Dialogue and the AEP have never been studied using qualitative or quantitative research.;The results of this research can enhance clinicians' understanding of the AEP, which may increase their ability to help clients. This study yields data that adds to pre-existing clinical understanding of how the experience of the AEP is meaningful. According to the participants, their Aware Ego Processes are meaningful because the process strengthens their relationships outside the therapeutic realm, it increases the therapeutic alliance, and/or it results in the feeling of having more life choices available to them. This study identified helpful strategies that facilitators of Voice Dialogue can use to increase the meaningfulness of their clients' AEP. This was not the intended focus of the study. However, these strategies may be of interest to facilitators who want their clients' AEP to have more meaning.