The superego in supervision. censor, persecutor or protector

Abstract

Key to psychodynamic and psychoanalytic work is an observing ego and the capacity to reflect on conscious and unconscious dynamics. Supervision frequently requires us to think the unthinkable and consider and reflect on material that might be shame inducing or provoke anxiety. However, this requires the ego to allow unconscious thoughts and feelings to surface and not be inhibited by the superego. The superego affects us in many ways. It sometimes acts as a censor determining what can be consciously thought in order to manage anxiety and inhibit unwanted thoughts and affects entering consciousness. It can persecute us with shoulds and oughts but it can also protect through consideration of what is appropriate and ethical. In this paper I explore the impact of the superego on supervisory and clinical work in terms of being a censor, a persecutor and protector. The paper interweaves theory with clinical examples and examines how the superego can inhibit the exploration of clinical material and the development of a reflective and psychodynamic understanding of the client’s internal world. In addition I consider how the superego is a factor that ensures good practice and that the work of the clinician is fit for purpose.

Keywords:

• Supervision
• superego
• censor
• persecutor
• protector

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. A version of this paper was presented to the BAPPS (British Association for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Supervision) conference on 14^th October 2023.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine Driver

Dr. Christine Driver, is a Training Analyst of the Society of Analytical Psychology (SAP), Fellow of the Foundation for Counselling and Psychotherapy (FPC) and Honorary Member of BAPPS (British Association for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy). She teaches, supervises and works in private practice and was previously Director of Training and Clinical Services at WPF Therapy. She has written and co-edited:- The Self and the Quintessence: A Jungian Perspective (2020, Routledge), Being and Relating in Psychotherapy (2013, Palgrave), Supervision and the Analytic Attitude (2005, Whurr), Supervising Psychotherapy (2002, Sage) and From Westminster Pastoral Foundation to WPF Therapy (2021, Driver).