A qualitative study of the therapist's spontaneous mental imagery and its impact on therapeutic process

Abstract

Aim: This study explores the under-researched area of the therapist's experience of spontaneous mental imagery (SMI) and its impact on the therapeutic process. Method: Five psychotherapists were interviewed and transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Four overarching domains were identified. These concerned: (i) the multi-sensory ways in which participants experienced SMI; (ii) a possible tension between personal affinity with mental imagery and professional approbation; (iii) a complex matrix of ways of understanding SMI; and (iv) the identification of three principle functions of SMI. Conclusion/Implications: Overall, this study indicated the potency of SMI as experienced by the therapist and its role in informing and potentially transforming therapeutic process. The provision of wider training to foster a greater awareness and understanding of SMI within clinical practice is recommended.

Keywords:

• analyst's imagery
• mental imagery in psychotherapy
• relational unconscious
• reverie
• waking dreams

Acknowledgements

I would like thank my participants for sharing their experiences with me and also my academic consultant, Dr Nick Midgley, for his invaluable support and guidance throughout the course of my doctoral research on which this article is based. My thanks also to Dr Alistair McBeath of Metanoia Institute/Middlesex University.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lesley Mcgown

Biography

Lesley McGown is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in private practice. She also works with the London-based Clinic for Dissociative Studies as a Consultant Psychotherapist. This paper is based on research undertaken as part of her Doctorate in Psychotherapy by Professional Studies at Metanoia Institute/Middlesex University.