Uncanny phenomena in psychotherapy:

Linde  Rosenberg

doi:10.9791/ajpanz.2005.14

Linde Rosenberg

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9791/ajpanz.2005.14

Abstract

This paper is based on my master's thesis research into Pakeha and Maori psychotherapists' and counsellors' experiences of inexplicable phenomena while working with clients. These phenomena may take the form of 'uncanny' knowings, 'synchronistic' dreams, bizarre visual images, or 'spirit forms'. The experiences create feelings of profound loving connectedness and of being part of a greater whole where self and other, dream and reality, and time and space are not as distinct as they appear in everyday life. At these times, therapists and counsellors often describe feeling as if they have access to universal knowledge or are being spoken to by an intelligent Other. I discuss these experiences and interpretations and the problematic place these phenomena have within psychoanalytic theory whereby they have largely been excluded from discussion.

Author Biography

Linde Rosenberg

As recorded in 2005.

Linde Rosenberg (MNZAP, B.Sc., Dip Psychotherapy) has trained in both psychoanalytic and archetypal psychotherapy in London. Since 1990 she has combined private practice work with group facilitation, supervision and teaching in therapeutic communities and counselling/therapy training programs, in both England and New Zealand. Since returning to NZ in 1998 she has been working in the AUT psychotherapy training programme, as well as being in private practice. She has explored many paths including shamanism and psychic development, and experimented with many forms of self-expression, including photography, mime, and theatre.

Uncanny phenomena in psychotherapy

Loving messages, quantum non-locality or madness?

Abstract

Author Biography