Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
9.6K
Therapists' in-session experiences with depressive clients: A grounded theory
1a Department of Psychology , Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic.
Summary
Psychotherapists oscillate between closeness and distance when working with depressed clients. A six-phase model illustrates this dynamic, enhancing understanding of in-session therapeutic processes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the therapist's subjective experience is crucial for effective psychotherapy.
- Depression is a common and challenging condition for therapists to manage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiential process of psychotherapists working with clients experiencing current depression.
- To develop a theoretical model of therapists' in-session experiences.
Main Methods:
- Grounded theory methodology was employed.
- Data collected through individual and focus group interviews with 30 therapists.
Main Results:
- Therapists' experience conceptualized as 'Experiential oscillation'—moving between closeness and distance from the client's depressive experience.
- A six-phase 'Depression Co-experiencing Trajectory' model was developed to depict this process over a session.
Conclusions:
- The developed theory integrates therapists' emotional responses into a coherent process model.
- This model facilitates tracking changes in therapist experience and linking them to in-session microprocesses.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
433
Research has highlighted several critical factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy, such as the therapeutic alliance, the therapist, and the client.
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
433
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
966
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...
966
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
863
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
863
01:25Cognitive Therapy
1.5K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.5K
01:25Interpersonal Psychotherapy
641
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured, time-limited therapeutic approach initially developed to treat depression. It integrates key concepts from psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral therapies, making it a uniquely eclectic framework. The therapy is rooted in the interpersonal theories of Adolph Meyer and Harry Stack Sullivan, as well as John Bowlby's attachment theory, and focuses on the interplay between interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being.
641
01:26Group Therapy
807
Group therapy is a sociocultural approach to psychological treatment, where individuals with shared psychological challenges come together under the guidance of a mental health professional. This therapeutic modality offers unique opportunities for individuals to connect, share, and grow within the context of a supportive group. By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, group therapy can address a range of psychological concerns effectively, often complementing or surpassing the...
807