Mindfulness meditation and countertransference in the therapeutic relationship: A small-scale exploration of therapists’ experiences using grounded theory methods

Millon, Guy; Halewood, Andrea

Abstract

© 2015 British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Background: Difficulties with containing or processing emotions brought up in the countertransference response have long been understood as having the potential to cause a rupture in the therapeutic relationship, often with damaging results for the client. As increasing numbers of psychotherapists are becoming interested in mindfulness meditation, and as evidence is building to suggest that mindfulness meditation is an effective way of relating to one’s thoughts and emotions in a non-judgemental and non-reactive fashion, the effect this may be having on the processing of countertransference material seems a worthy area of investigation. Method: This study explores the countertransference experiences of five psychotherapists who practised mindfulness meditation, using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Results: A tentative conceptual understanding of the data was developed, indicating that therapists who practised mindfulness meditation were relating to countertransferential responses with an observing stance, a compassionately curious attitude and a holding of emotion, which brings them into the present moment, resulting in the experience of a deeper therapeutic relationship. Discussion: The implications for training and practice are discussed, through the potential of practising mindfulness to cultivate a therapeutic attitude towards countertransference responses.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2014
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 13, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 27, 2017
• Journal: Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
• Print ISSN: 1473-3145
• Electronic ISSN: 1746-1405
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 188-196
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12020
• Keywords: mindfulness, countertransference, therapeutic relationship, grounded theory, meditation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/843505
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.12020/abstract
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Millon, G. and Halewood, A. (2015) Mindfulness meditation and countertransference in the therapeutic relationship: A small-scale exploration of therapists' experiences using grounded theory methods. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 15 (3). pp. 188-196, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.12020/abstract. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Jun 13, 2016