The Invisible Presence in Therapy: Organizational Context and Its Influence on Therapeutic Process

Abstract

While two people, the social worker and client, might physically sit in therapy there can be invisible presences that influence the therapeutic process. Psychoanalytic relational theory and the concept of the “analytic third” will be used in case discussion to examine the presence of the organization, the social worker's and client's relationship to the organization, and conflicts that exist. Understanding agency context, the role social workers play and pressures they feel can support therapists to be mindful practitioners. Implications for social work practice and education will be discussed.

Keywords:

• psychoanalytic relational theory
• therapeutic process
• social work practice
• agency context