Explorer l’impact de la réalité externe et de la nouveauté créative dans les relations thérapeutiques

Abstract

Context

This article is based on research exploring the impact of external reality, including multiple global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, social movements, and political crises, on the therapeutic relationship and the analytical framework. This collaborative study, carried out by researchers from different countries, took shape in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. It aims to understand how psychoanalysts and psychotherapists have had to adapt their practices in the face of these crises, highlighting the importance of improvisation and creativity in maintaining the continuity of the therapeutic process.

Objectives

The principal objective of the study is to identify the impact of shared external realities on the therapeutic process, highlighting the challenges faced by practitioners in a context of multiple crises. The researchers also seek to explore how psychoanalysts and psychotherapists have had to call into question and adapt their practices and frameworks in order to continue working with their patients in an environment marked by uncertainty and the need to improvise.

Methodology

The research is based on qualitative interviews with psychoanalysts and psychotherapists from different countries facing various crises. The researchers analyzed the participants’ responses to identify emerging themes and understand how practitioners navigated these challenges, highlighting coping strategies and adjustments to the therapeutic framework.

Results

The findings confirm the profound impact of external crises on therapeutic practice, particularly in terms of challenging practitioners’ professional identities and the need to adapt therapeutic frameworks to maintain the continuity of the analytical process. Participants expressed a sense of insecurity, frustration and a loss of rituals associated with the move to working online. However, they also showed great creativity in designing their workplace and exploring new therapeutic approaches.

Discussion and conclusion

The discussion underlines the importance of recognizing and addressing the challenges posed by external crises in therapeutic practice, while also highlighting the crucial role of improvisation and creativity in maintaining the continuity of the analytical process. Practitioners must be prepared to rethink and adapt their therapeutic framework to meet the changing needs of their patients, while preserving the fundamental principles of therapy. Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of collaboration and ongoing development between practitioners in overcoming the challenges posed by external crises in order to ensure the quality of therapeutic care.