Somatic experiencing : the impact on therapists and therapy
Date
2003
Authors
Maclean, Sandra Lynn
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of the effects of training in Somatic Experiencing (SE), a body-centred approach to therapy. The following question was investigated: What are experienced, Master's level counsellors' perceptions of how senior level training in SE counselling approach has impacted their practice of psychotherapy? A modified qualitative, phenomenological methodology was used that incorporated individual interviews, a focus group and a collaborative data analysis process. The lived experiences of four counsellors trained in SE were investigated. There were a total of 22 emergent themes. The three deemed most central by participants were the following: aliveness as the goal of therapy, increased sense of spirituality in therapy for the therapist, and the central role of resources for therapist and client with increased lightness/humour/fun. Of the remaining themes, four related to influences on the person of the therapist' understanding of human suffering and two related to imagery and metaphor.