Khoshfetrat, Ali ORCID: 0000-0001-8632-5137 (2021) Exploring psychoanalytic psychotherapists’ experience of supervision: an interpretative phenomenological analysis study. PhD thesis, Dublin City University.
Abstract
Studies aimed at exploring psychoanalytic psychotherapy supervisees’ experience of
supervision, have often been focused on novice and trainee therapists whose supervisory
needs, tasks and consequently their supervisory experiences differ from those of accredited
experienced practitioners. Experienced therapists have accumulated supervision experiences
that put them in a position to identify long-lasting and sustainable effects of supervision.
Hence, experienced therapists can contribute to our understanding about how psychoanalytic
supervision is experienced in the fullness of time. This study aimed to explore a group of
accredited psychoanalytic psychotherapist supervisees’ experiences of supervision. Using
purposeful and snow-ball sampling, fourteen psychoanalysts (seven female and seven male)
accredited by the Irish Council for Psychotherapy were recruited. Data were collected using a
semi-structured interview.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for data analysis. The four
superordinate themes that emerged from the analysis were “providing illumination”,
“harmonizing emotional experience”, “noticing unmet needs” and “grappling with relational
experiences”. Good and effective psychoanalytic supervision appeared to be both insightful
and emotionally supportive, while problematic psychoanalytic supervision neglected the
participants’ needs and was characterised by an uncomfortable relationship. The findings from
the study point to several considerations for practice and future research. Of particular note is
that the supervisors are recommended to democratize the supervision relationship so that
supervision can be conducted in a way that is meaningful for the supervisee. Given that
supervision is a triadic practice, future research is required to study the supervisors and the
clients, which will extend the findings from the current study. This study is unique as it is the
first study to provide a nuanced understanding of the experienced psychoanalytic
psychotherapy supervisees’ supervision experiences in an Irish context.
Metadata
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
---|---|
Date of Award: | November 2021 |
Refereed: | No |
Supervisor(s): | Moore, Gerard and Kiernan, Gemma |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Psychoanalysis; Clinical Supervision |
Subjects: | Medical Sciences > Mental health Medical Sciences > Psychology Social Sciences > Social psychology |
DCU Faculties and Centres: | DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health |
Use License: | This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. View License |
ID Code: | 26224 |
Deposited On: | 29 Oct 2021 10:30 by Gerard Moore . Last Modified 29 Oct 2021 10:30 |
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