How is the trainee affected by psychoanalytic observation (other than infant observation) during psychotherapy training? A systematic literature review

Abstract

Infant observation is an integral part of training in child and adult psychotherapy. Psychotherapy trainees and qualified health professionals may benefit from using psychoanalytic observations in other settings. This study aimed to explore the effect on these professionals of observational experiences during their training. The study comprised of a systematic literature review with pre-specified eligibility criteria. It used a systematic search strategy and provided a summary of the literature on the topic. The effects on the trainee and professional were related to the role undertaken by them as observers during the observation and the use of the observer’s countertransference in furthering understanding of the observation. Overall trainees found observation experiences useful and effective for training.

Keywords:

• psychotherapy trainee
• psychoanalytic observation
• psychotherapy training

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank everyone I learnt from during my training, particularly Mr J Gordon for his advice during the creation and development of this study and Dr A Janmohamed, for introducing me to the observation technique, which sparked my interest and query into the practice, and supervising me through the experiences. I wish to thank the reviewers and editor of this journal also for their suggestions.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.