Existential-phenomenological approaches to evoked feelings in therapy: A potential convergence of practice with contemporary relational psychoanalysis

Since the development of Daseinanalytic theory in the mid 20th century, theories of psychoanalysis have changed dramatically. In particular, the psychoanalytic concept of countertransference, originally described in the writings of Freud, has been reformulated by a number of different theorists from both the psychoanalytic and existential-phenomenological paradigms of psychological thought. Considering the relatively recent alterations to contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice, there appears to be a potential point of convergence of practice between contemporary relational psychoanalytic and existential-phenomenological psychotherapy in the area of the therapist's evoked feelings and personal reactions to their clients.;Considering the results of the current study in light of the recent developments in contemporary relational psychoanalytic theory, there appears to be a general convergence of theory between contemporary relational psychoanalysis and existential-phenomenological psychotherapy. The concepts of philosophical hermeneutics as well as the view of the therapeutic relationship as both real and intersubjective seem to play a major role in guiding the therapeutic techniques outlined by both contemporary relational psychoanalysis and existential-phenomenology. However, due to the lack of writing regarding the actual practice of existential-phenomenological psychotherapy as well as the limitations of this study, it is difficult to determine whether convergences or divergences in the practice of these two theories of psychological thought exist.;The purpose of this study was to determine how existential-phenomenological therapists would handle their evoked feelings and personal reactions to clinical material in accordance with their self-identified theoretical orientation. Through the use of a semi-structured interview protocol which included general questions as well as a clinical vignette, qualitative data was gathered and examined against the backdrop of prevailing psychoanalytic literature regarding this topic.