Themes in the Countertransference When Envy Is Experienced by the Client in Psychotherapeutic Work: A Thematic Analysis

Date
2014
Authors
Holding, Fiona
Supervisor
Goulding, Josie
Item type
Dissertation
Degree name
Master of Psychotherapy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Abstract

Psychotherapists are familiar with the powerful and destructive forces of envy and with the benefits of examining and reflecting on countertransference experiences. This dissertation is an analysis of the clinical material identified in peer-reviewed psychoanalytic literature on experience of the countertransference with clients who are experiencing envy in the psychotherapeutic relationship. A thematic analysis within an hermeneutic phenomenological framework was critically applied to the literature and the salient patterns of meaning, or themes, were identified. Major Themes were developed based on an inductive approach to finding meaning in the texts. The results are five major themes: Lack of Awareness, Blocks to Connection, Anger, Hurt, Fear and Blame, Difficulties in Thinking and Repositioning. The themes are discussed in the context of wider psychoanalytic theory.

Description
Keywords
Thematic analysis , Hermeneutic phenomenology , Envy , Envied , Countertransference , Projective identification
Source
DOI
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