Love in therapy: A qualitative study of how clients perceive their therapists' emotions. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Viou, Maria; Moschakis, Christina; Nikolaou, Androniki
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotherapy, counselling, and health. Volume 20:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 467
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Emotions -- therapists' emotional expressions -- narrative thematic analysis -- systemic therapy -- self-disclosure; Gefuehle -- Gefuehlsausdruecke -- thematische Erzaehlung -- systematische Therapie -- Selbsteinbringung; emociones -- expresión emocional de los terapeutas -- análisis temático narrativo -- terapia sistémica -- auto-revelación; emozioni -- espressioni emotive dei terapeuti -- analisi tematica narrativa -- terapia ssitemica -- self-disclosure; émotions -- expressions émotionnelles des thérapeutes -- analyse thématique narrative -- thérapie systémique -- dévoilement de soi; συναισθήματα -- συναισθηματικές αντιδράσεις των θεραπευτών -- αφηγηματική θεματική ανάλυση -- συστημική θεραπεία -- αυτό-αποκάλυψη; Counseling -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Europe -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Europe -- Periodicals; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/13642537.2018.1529692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-2537

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Relevant literature on attachment theory has explored the importance of emotional experience inside the therapeutic setting, highlighting that the active engagement of the therapist with the client is necessary in the process of change. However, less is known about the clients' perception of the therapists' emotional expression during a session. In this qualitative study, we used narrative thematic analysis to examine 10 semi-structured interviews with clients in an enriched systemic therapy approach. Focusing on the similarities of clients' experiences, what emerged from the interviews were specific 'perceived emotions' and the related facial expressions of the therapists that were given attention by the clients. Based on our findings, six emotional themes were identified and are considered prominent: (i) 'excitement', (ii) 'calmness', (iii) 'affection', (iv) 'empathy', (v) 'anger' and (vi) 'sadness'. Also, the analysis revealed two distinct functions of the expression of the therapist's emotions: (i) they are an essential part of the therapeutic relationship and, (ii) they provide clients with alternative ways of experiencing emotions and motivate them to change. Therapists are invited to recognize the importance of their own emotional and facial expression in therapy considering it a form of self-disclosure. Suggestions for further research are also provided.