Uncontained and uncontaining: A grounded theory of therapists’ countertransference and defensive practices in an organisational context

ABSTRACT

Countertransference, it is widely agreed can either deepen awareness of personal and relational dynamics to the benefit of the work or it can distort and become an impediment through the adoption of defences. The aim of this study was to explore what supported the development of countertransference awareness in an organisational context through a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 therapists either face to face or online. The findings indicate that participants followed one of two pathways, a reflective pathway, where they developed their countertransference awareness to the benefit of the work, and a defensive pathway, the focus of the present paper. Here, the findings suggest that when the organisational setting, the supervisory relationship, and the adopted theoretical framework, did not support the thinking about the relational dynamics, including countertransferential responses, it resulted in the adoption of defences, to the detriment of the work with the client. The implication of the findings, including the limitations of the study and avenues for further research, are also discussed.

Keywords:

• Anxiety-Defence
• Containment
• Defensive practice
• Countertransference
• Projective Identification
• Enactments
• Organisational context
• Supervision

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shelley Gait

Shelley Gait is a HCPC registered and BPS chartered Counselling Psychologist working in private practice and Senior Lecturer in the department of Therapeutic Studies, University South Wales, where she currently leads the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Shelley is interested in the relational and intersubjective at an individual and collective level, with a special interest in alternative discourses on mental health and well-being.

Andrea Halewood is a Chartered Psychologist and relational psychotherapist, working in private practice and a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology, School of life Sciences, Frenchay campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK.

Corresponding Author: Dr Shelley Gait is a HCPC registered and BPS chartered Counselling Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, Therapeutic Studies, University South Wales.

Dr Shelley Gait, School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, City Campus, Newport, NP20 2BP, [email protected]

Co-Author: Andrea Halewood, is a Chartered Psychologist and relational psychotherapist in private practice and Senior Lecturer at, Department of Psychology, School of Life Sciences,University West of England, Frenchay campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, UK.