PERFORMATIVE COUNSELING AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE WITH CRITICAL LIFE EVENTS AND LIMINAL EXPERIENCES

Abstract

The article presents the significance of various forms of informal, extrainstitutional help, offered to people who experience critical life events or undergo liminal experiences. The authoress describes various everyday support practices (showing interest, accompanying, taming, verifying resources, exchanging experiences). By using experiences of anthropologists of language, Elżbieta Siarkiewicz attempts to show and define the concept of performative counseling, and indicates the power and efficiency (actual and symbolic) of statements made by informal advisers, which in a given context become agents that act, help etc.
The article presents how everyday informal forms of assistance can influence an individual to devote effort (both cognitive and behavioural) to reduce tension, regulate emotions, solve problems. Moreover, the article describes the ways that may lead to acquisition and activation of self-help mechanisms in people undergoing liminal, traumatic experiences.