Kintsugi "Mending with Gold" - A Psychotherapeutic Technique

Abstract

Background and Aims: Psychotherapy, when supported by an appropriate set of techniques, has a high impact on the patient's psychological well-being, self-knowledge, and self-growth. This study aimed to determine the clinical utility of the therapeutic tool "Kintsugi," developed by the corresponding author, through two assessment phases.
Methods: To a total of 200 participants, aged between 18 and 70 years (M = 44.3, SD = 12.5), were administered a semi-structured interview, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Echelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Etre Psychologique. The assessments occurred before and after the application of the technique, with an interval of about two months (approximately 4 to 6 sessions).
Results: Findings indicate that, in the first moment of assessment, participants showed lower levels of psychological well-being (M = 78.0, SD = 15.0) and, consequently, more anxious symptoms (M = 32.0, SD = 9.0). After the use of the "Kintsugi" technique, regardless of the participant's age or gender, an increase in psychological well-being (M = 96.5, SD = 12.0; F-test = 77.65, p < .001, ?2 = .28) and a decrease in anxiety (M = 21.0, SD = 7.0; F-test = 87.50, p < .001, ?2 = .31) were observed.
Conclusion: This therapeutic tool proves to be useful, beneficial, and clinically effective in a psychotherapeutic context, as its high contribution to the mental health of individuals becomes evident.
Keywords: psychotherapy; mental health; psychological well-being