Mauro Zizza, DESIGN THINKING ASSIGNMENT    DT for psychotherapy: The role of story telling    I am an engineer and I became an specialist in Machine Design and Design Methods. For  reasons out of the scope of this essay, I became a psychotherapist in several approaches,  one of them being existential therapy.     In some point last year, I realized that I operated sometimes in therapy under the scope of  design stages and thought of having a method based on that. This is not the method itself  but a reflection on the coincidences and how a DT is affected by the method itself and, if  seen correctly, it is also a healing process for some.    What is?    When I have a new client or a regular one, I alway ask: what do you want to work with? So  they begin telling me a story. At the first stages I use the phenomenological method to keep  asking what is? Just the data, no judgements -for now. Sometimes this is enough since the  person can change his/her story by clearing the facts and is able to separate his/her own  judgements or prejudices.     What if?    In a second stage we begin to explore what others would think. So first I ask: What do you  think I think about it? Some times they are very close and others not. So I continue to ask:  What if you see things like I do? Then we can ask: what do he/she/they think about our  session? What if you ask them? What if you propose/suggest/explore what you found out  today about yourself?    What wows?    A regular question to clients is: what are your options, your wishes, alternatives? Very often  a client is locked out and see no options. Many of the idea development from this course can  be used as a game  during the session. I use many materials. Again, one option is to have  the client re write the story with two, three, four different endings.    What works?    Therapy sessions is a safe place to try out experiments. And there are hundreds of them to  inspire the client to look out and try new behaviours. Usually they “feel” what will work for  them even is not the most safe choice out there. The experiment in the wider world can fail,  but that in itself is a success since the person is trying out new versions of himself/herself.  Returning back to therapy with a “failure” is a chance to iterate in the design process and  pick up one of the ideas the client discarded or graduate the experiment and try it out again.     Story telling

The whole process is about telling a story, rewriting it, adding chapters, considering life as a  novel where a new chapter can be written, or revisiting a previous chapter and rewriting it. In  the DT course, I liked when they talked about having empathy with those involved in the  process. Well I practice the so called humanistic approach to therapy and being empathic  and teaching that to the client is central.


Mauro Zizza , DESIGN THINKING ASSIGNMENT DT for psychotherapy : The role of story telling I am an engineer and I became an specialist in Machine Design and Design Methods . For reasons out of the scope of this essay , I became a psychotherapist in several approaches , one of them being existential therapy . In some point last year , I realized that I operated sometimes in therapy under the scope of design stages and thought of having a method based on that . This is not the method itself but a reflection on the coincidences and how a DT is affected by the method itself and , if seen correctly , it is also a healing process for some . What is ? When I have a new client or a regular one , I alway ask : what do you want to work with ? So they begin telling me a story . At the first stages I use the phenomenological method to keep asking what is ? Just the data , no judgements -for now . Sometimes this is enough since the person can change his / her story by clearing the facts and is able to separate his / her own judgements or prejudices . What if ? In a second stage we begin to explore what others would think . So first I ask : What do you think I think about it ? Some times they are very close and others not . So I continue to ask : What if you see things like I do ? Then we can ask : what do he / she / they think about our session ? What if you ask them ? What if you propose / suggest / explore what you found out today about yourself ? What wows ? A regular question to clients is : what are your options , your wishes , alternatives ? Very often a client is locked out and see no options . Many of the idea development from this course can be used as a game during the session . I use many materials . Again , one option is to have the client re write the story with two , three , four different endings . What works ? Therapy sessions is a safe place to try out experiments . And there are hundreds of them to inspire the client to look out and try new behaviours . Usually they “ feel ” what will work for them even is not the most safe choice out there . The experiment in the wider world can fail , but that in itself is a success since the person is trying out new versions of himself / herself . Returning back to therapy with a “ failure ” is a chance to iterate in the design process and pick up one of the ideas the client discarded or graduate the experiment and try it out again . Story telling The whole process is about telling a story , rewriting it , adding chapters , considering life as a novel where a new chapter can be written , or revisiting a previous chapter and rewriting it . In the DT course , I liked when they talked about having empathy with those involved in the process . Well I practice the so called humanistic approach to therapy and being empathic and teaching that to the client is central .