Emoções Positivas na Vivência do Terapeuta

Abstract

The feelings of the therapist play a remarkable role in present-day models of psychotherapy. Going along with this tendency, the present study sets out to describe the experience of positive emotions by therapists in the interpersonal relationship with the client, during psychotherapy sessions. Contemporary models of emotion emphasize the complexity and plasticity of emotional responses. Positive psychology has shown that positive emotions offer a range of benefic effects including coping with negative experiences, restoration of wellbeing and personal growth. These issues are addressed empirically in this study through the concrete experience of a specific subgroup of health professionals, notably the psychotherapists. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of positive emotions by the therapist in the interpersonal relationship with the client, during sessions. Participants of this study were 20 psychotherapists, of which 19 female and one male; with in medium 13,9 years of professional experience. They were interviewed about their feelings during psychotherapy sessions. The data were analyzed according to the inductive precepts of Grounded Theory. A model was constructed in which treatment outcome, treatment process, therapist-client alliance, professional progress and the client are experienced as sources of positive emotions. The types of positive emotions experienced by the therapists are: happiness and joy, security, satisfaction and well-being. Experiencing these emotions positively influences the therapeutic relationship, professional development, therapist resilience and professional motivation.