Delving into the ‘emotional storms’: A thematic analysis of psychoanalysts’ initial consultation reports

Abstract

Psychoanalysts' written reports on initial consultations are a window into the complexities of a crucial aspect of psychoanalytic work. However, systematic research in this area has largely focused on patients' demographic factors or standardized measures. The present study looked at reports of all the consultations taking place at the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis over one calendar year (N = 100). The aim was to explore psychoanalysts' different explicit styles of working and reporting as well as further understanding implicit processes used in thinking and writing about each particular consultation experience. A thematic analysis revealed a set of themes that related to a style of working and thinking about the consultation process as a dyadic experience, where the interaction, affective reactions and contact made between the two are the focus when thinking of making a recommendation for psychoanalysis. The majority of the reports had an open, exploratory quality. The writing of reports appears to give the analyst an opportunity to process the consultation experience and arrive at a more triangular position. Writing reports is a more valuable part of the consultation process than has formally been recognized and acknowledged. The limitations of this study as well as the relevance of these findings for future research are discussed.

Do (Ab)Users of Psychedelics Have Tendencies to Abuse High Authority? An Internet Snapshot Study

“…Some interesting threads were noticed; the topics of these threads were related to the same theme, power and authority, including interesting questions; What will you do if you become God?, What will you do if you were given supreme powers? These threads of commentaries are valuable from a psychological perspective and can be explored via thematic (psycho)analysis of comments (De Ganck et al, 2015;Pérez et al, 2015). The aim is to conclude whether psychedelic (ab)users tend to abuse high power and authority.…”

One Ultimate Journey? AKA the Huxley’s Method: Perspectives of (Ab)Users of Hallucinogens and Entheogens on Having Planned Pre-Mortem Psychedelic Trip

“…Comments were either supporting tripping (pro-tripping, numerically scored as "2"), against tripping (anti-tripping, numerically scored as "0") or had a neutral attitude (numerically scored as "1") towards tripping via the specific use of DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine) or other entheogens prior to death. The themes of commentaries were evaluated using thematic (psycho)analysis (Pérez et al, 2015;Bell, 2017;Blacker et al, 2017). Hence, this study aims to extrapolate evidence via the dissection of the personal accounts and opinions of psychedelic (ab)users.…”

“…It is possible that other famous individuals and scientists have also experimented with psychedelics including Leonardo Da Vinci, Sigmund Freud, and Thomas Edison (Famousscientists.org, 2018;Shroomery.org, 2018). Our study requires a keen observational or quasi-experimental approach towards the mentality of (ab)users of entheogens via thematic (psycho)analysis (Pérez, Crick, & Lawrence, 2015;Bell, 2017;Blacker, Kurtz, & Goodwin, 2017).…”

Let’s Go Out For A Day Trip? Perspectives of Psychedelics (Ab)Users on the Safety of Acid (LSD) Tripping in Public Places

“…Comments were either supporting (pro-tripping), against tripping (anti-tripping) or had a neutral attitude towards day tripping using acid (LSD) in public places. The themes of commentaries were evaluated using thematic (psycho)analysis (De Ganck et al, 2015;Pérez et al, 2015). Hence, this study aims to extrapolate an evidence by relying on the analysis of the personal accounts and opinions of psychedelic (ab)users.…”