Storytelling and Mythology in Counselling: The case of Oedipus
Published:
Apr 20, 2026
Keywords:
story, myth, narrative, Oidepus
Abstract
The use of storytelling and mythology in counselling is based on stories’ ability to simulate situations, related to the central problems of human life. They usually deal with violations of perceived normality and concern issues of social conflict, while also helping to address these problems. Stories, both as non-fictional or fictional narratives, function as a means of constructing realities, organizing experiences, and building coherent sequences of their parts. In therapy, the therapist and client are asked to 'collaborate' on revising a sequence of social events and on their functional and satisfactory re-evaluation. Culturally available stories and metaphors can help shape an alternative narrative and plot, and this process depends on the particular cultural context to which the client belongs. In line with the above, the myth of Oedipus can be incorporated into the counselling process. This story was primarily used by Sigmund Freud to support psychoanalytic theory and has had a profound influence on psychology. However, this enigmatic story has many other dimensions. This essay aims to explore how Oedipus ultimately confronts the tragic failure of his plans and how this may be useful in counselling.
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Moraitou, D. (2026). Storytelling and Mythology in Counselling: The case of Oedipus. Psychology: The Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society, 31(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.12681/psy_hps.45291
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