Dignity Therapy

Abstract

Dignity therapy requires participants who are cognitively able to engage in legacy-making approach and have a degree of existential readiness that encourages personal reflection and life review. Dignity therapy consists of three or four meetings between the therapist and patient, ideally over the course of seven to ten days. During this initial consultation, patients are asked who the generativity document is intended for and what they hope to achieve by taking part in dignity therapy. During the dignity therapy interview, Melinda beamed proudly about having raised amazing young men who are very respectful and mannerly. Notably, not all Melinda’s memories were positive as she candidly described a life that included family adversity, divorce and a series of difficult sacrifices. In fact, dignity therapy is not intended to solely record times of happiness but aims to provide an open, nonjudgmental environment in which people can reflect on the authentic highs and lows of their lives.