Beyond words: The experience of silence in the therapeutic room
Authors
Dobosz, Katarzyna
Issue Date
2020
Degree
MA in Psychotherapy
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
It has been widely accepted that psychotherapeutic work consists of both verbal and non-verbal processes. This study set out to explore the experience of silence in the therapeutic room. Five practicing therapists participated in semi-structured interviews that aimed to explore the factors that affect silence in therapy. The participants were invited to reflect on their clinical work, personal development and attitudes towards the use of silence as a therapeutic intervention. The study found that the clinical practice and personal therapy were the two main factors that impact the experience of silence in the therapeutic work. The study also found that the therapists base their use of silence on the strength of the therapeutic alliance and the usefulness of it as an intervention.