Interpersonal Process Recall in Systemic Research: Investigating Couple Therapists’ Personal and Professional Selves

Borcsa, Maria; Janusz, Bernadetta

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-65331-6_8

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Co-therapists tend to balance each other through reflecting openly on their ideas and concerns. This is in line with literature suggesting that allowing time for reflection helps therapists not getting stuck in one position ( Andersen, 1991 , 1997 ; Borcsa and Janusz, 2021 ). Co-therapists can invite their co-therapists to unfold their thinking and share the reasons behind asking particular questions, addressing their professional self and the ways their stories may resonate to the networks’ narrative or addressing their experiencing self.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In order to appreciate the polyphony of their inner voices, therapists need to be attuned to and reflect on both their professional self and their experiencing self ( Rober, 2005b ; Borcsa and Janusz, 2021 ). The “professional self,” influenced by therapist’s skills, training and professional development, takes an observer position and is conceptualized as the inner voice of the therapist that hypothesizes and responds to clients’ stories ( Rober, 2005b ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therapists’ professional self and experiencing self are in an ongoing inner conversation during a meeting, providing different opportunities to respond to their co-therapist’s and the networks’ invitations and stories ( Seikkula et al, 2012 ; Borcsa and Janusz, 2021 ). Through alternating between facilitating and reflective positions in the external dialogue with the network and engaging in the reflective processes co-therapists allow the space to each other to attend to their inner dialogue, become more attuned to their inner voices and ultimately be able to develop polyphony ( Seikkula, 1995 ; Rober, 1999 , 2005b ; Olson and Seikkula, 2003 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Co-therapy in Open Dialogue: Transforming therapists’ self in a shared space

2023

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The present study aimed to explore co-therapists’ relationship and how therapists’ individual presence influences this relationship in Open Dialogue. Although co-therapy is key in Open Dialogue network meetings, the processes of that relationship remain largely understudied. The study applied thematic analysis to semi-structured interviews with 20 Open Dialogue trained therapists working in public and private sectors internationally. The results indicate that therapists are present in a meeting with their experiencing and professional self. Specific co-therapy processes allow co-therapists to attune to one another verbally and physically, creating a shared space that promotes new common understandings, shared responsibility and ultimately a transformation of each therapist’s self and practice. Trust between co-therapists seems to be a prerequisite for co-therapy to flourish. Results of the present study reveal a dynamic influence of co-therapy practice, in which co-therapy promotes a more dialogical personality and allows the therapists’ own transformation, which in turn enables common understandings and sharing of responsibility. Considering the growing interest in dialogical approaches and Open Dialogue trainings, trainers, supervisors, and practitioners need to be aware of and attend to the dynamics of co-therapy relationship in order to care for themselves, their team and ultimately the networks they collaborate with.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%