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

McGown, Lesley

doi:10.1002/capr.12006

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A wide range of clinical literature from a number of therapeutic approaches (e.g., Hackmann, Bennett‐Levy, & Holmes, ; Singer, ) and an increasing number of empirical studies, especially in cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT), have focused on therapeutic interventions that utilise clients’ imagery (e.g., Morina, Lancee, & Arntz, ). However, there has been no empirical study of therapists’ experiences of imagery that occurs while working therapeutically, with the exception of one small interview study with five therapists (McGown, ). The present study aims to address this gap in the literature and to provide insight into therapists’ experiences of spontaneous mental imagery (SMI) in therapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the only study of therapist SMI to date, McGown () interviewed five interpersonal psychotherapists and all described vivid experiences of SMI during therapy sessions, especially visual imagery. These psychotherapists expressed a natural fit with imagery and viewed their SMI as emerging from some “resonance” or “matching” with the client; reflecting transference and countertransference reactions; and/or or acting as a bridge between the non‐verbal and verbal (McGown, , p. 7). These results reflect the themes that emerged from the psychodynamic and integrative literature, discussed above; and provide some initial evidence that at least some therapists do experience SMI and find it impactful.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Therapists’ experiences of spontaneous mental imagery in therapy

Cartwright

Cowie

Bavin

et al. 2019

Clinical Psychologist

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Background Some psychodynamic and integrative therapists have written about their experiences of mental imagery (MI), or imagery that arises spontaneously while working therapeutically. However, there have been no empirical investigations of therapists’ imagery experiences. This mixed methods study was exploratory and aimed to begin to address this gap. Methods Forty‐three therapists, mostly psychologists, participated in an online study that collected both quantitative and qualitative data related to experiences of spontaneous mental imagery (SMI) in therapy. They provided written reports and reflections on their personal experiences and completed a series of Likert‐type scales in regard to conceptualisations of SMI. Results The majority rated SMI as helpful and perceived it as clinically meaningful although they reported little or no training in this area. Symbolic or metaphoric SMI was viewed as providing insight into clients’ core issues; as linked to therapist emotion and empathy; and reflective of the therapeutic relationship and countertransference. Some SMI was also experienced as difficult to understand and some was disturbing for therapists especially when the imagery related to clients’ trauma experiences. Conclusions Therapists’ SMI is an important new area of research. Initial findings suggest that while many therapists place considerable value on their SMI, there is little research or training available in this area.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapists’ experiences of spontaneous mental imagery in therapy

Cartwright

Cowie

Bavin

et al. 2019

Clinical Psychologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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What do psychodynamic therapists make of their reveries in the therapeutic encounter? A constructivist grounded theory study

Stokes

Ross

2019

British Journal of Guidance & Counselling

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Sometimes the therapist's mind will wander to daydreams, fantasies and preoccupations: mental events termed 'reveries' in this study. The present study aims to investigate the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes therapists have about their reveries in relation to the therapeutic encounter with the patient, including whether reveries are felt to be clinically useful. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine qualified psychodynamic therapists. Data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2014). The results of the study showed that therapists experience a diverse inner life of reverie in the therapeutic encounter, which they consider a fundamental component of psychodynamic work. In particular, reveries were considered to be an important countertransference phenomenon that can provide deeper clinical understanding. They were also seen as having a 'freeing-up' function for the therapist and patient. Reveries were additionally felt to require a certain degree of mental freedom to operate. The implications for theoretical understanding and recommendations for a clinical technique that includes attention to reverie are considered.

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The sampling precision of research in five major areas of psychology

Trafimow

Myüz

2018

Behav Res

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After obtaining a sample of published, peer-reviewed articles from journals with high and low impact factors in social, cognitive, neuro-, developmental, and clinical psychology, we used a priori equations recently derived by Trafimow (Educational and Psychological Measurement, 77, 831-854, 2017; Trafimow & MacDonald in Educational and Psychological Measurement, 77, 204-219, 2017) to compute the articles' median levels of precision. Our findings indicate that developmental research performs best with respect to precision, whereas cognitive research performs the worst; however, none of the psychology subfields excelled. In addition, we found important differences in precision between journals in the upper versus lower echelons with respect to impact factors in cognitive, neuro-, and clinical psychology, whereas the difference was dramatically attenuated for social and developmental psychology. Implications are discussed.

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

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Therapists’ experiences of spontaneous mental imagery in therapy

Therapists’ experiences of spontaneous mental imagery in therapy

What do psychodynamic therapists make of their reveries in the therapeutic encounter? A constructivist grounded theory study

The sampling precision of research in five major areas of psychology

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