Why do you need a professional or clinical consultant?
Psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic work is unique in that the instrument the therapist or analyst uses is him or herself. Because we all have an unconscious and defenses, including the therapist and psychoanalyst, there are blind spots, countertransference reactions and enactments that occur in therapeutic work, some of which require exploration to be useful. Regular clinical consultation with a peer group or consultant can be extremely beneficial in reflecting on these experiences and gaining insight through discussions with a professional outside the clinical dyad. Once a clinician is licensed, ongoing consultation is a key part of ongoing development and learning (Beidas, et. al., 2013).
In addition, often times clinicians have particular needs to discuss concrete professional matters that are important to the professional practice of psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. Addressing these issues can be challenging alone and without professional consultation one might be in the dark about how to go about addressing a variety of concerns. Issues such as: How to get more referrals or different kinds of referrals, fee and billing questions, questions about setting up private practices or marketing programs, ideas about professional projects, committee work, ethical concerns, or other issues can be important to discuss with trusted colleagues in a formal consultation. Finding someone you trust who has experience to help you can make a difference. Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis is still learned through an apprenticeship model of sorts and professional practice and ethics are maintained through social experiences of consultation and professional development.
Some have even gone as far as to say that the clinical practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis isn’t possible without the community of psychotherapists or analysts. And further that psychoanalysts and psychotherapists have many skills to offer groups (e.g., schools, businesses, boards) who are experiencing challenges that have a psychological dimension. The group of us supports one another to continue developing and growing and to hold all the challenges and depth that our work evokes and we can in turn support others and groups with their needs.
SOURCES:Beidas RS, Edmunds JM, Cannuscio CC, Gallagher M, Downey MM, Kendall PC. Therapists’ perspectives on the effective elements of consultation following training. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2013 Nov;40(6):507-17. doi: 10.1007/s10488-013-0475-7. PMID: 23435832; PMCID: PMC3676714.
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