Exploration of Psychoanalytic Therapist Supervisees' Experience of Supervision: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis -

This study explored psychoanalytic therapist supervisees' experience of psychoanalytic supervision. Although there are some studies available that examine psychotherapy supervision from the supervisee’s point of view, the literature appears limited regarding studies around psychoanalytic supervisees’ experience of supervision. In addition, these studies have been mainly focused on beginners and novice supervisees. Thus, a further study was required to explore more experienced psychoanalytic supervisees’ experiences. Consistent with the interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 qualified psychoanalysts (7 female, 7 male) to investigate their lived experience and meaning-making of psychoanalytic supervision. Data analysis is still underway; however, four emergent themes are reported here. For participants, the supervisor’s self-disclosure and encouragement were beneficial, while they described initial struggling with opening up and inflexible supervisors as gruelling experiences. It can be suggested that beneficial supervisory actions can contribute to the development of the collegial relationship, while gruelling experiences may result in supervisees experiencing more didactic and the trainee-teacher style relationship.