A Heuristic Inquiry into the Therapist鈥檚 experience of developing and working with Reflective Function/Mentalising (RF/M) as an Integrative Psychotherapist
I am carrying out a piece of qualitative heuristic research for my MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute. Full ethical approval has been granted.
I am seeking participants for my study.
What is my research about?
(RF/M) is a broad multidimensional term describing a faculty to observe how our and other鈥檚 thoughts, behaviours and emotions emerge within underlying mental states. The work of Peter Fonagy mentalising and Mentalisation Based Therapy was initially devised for patients with BPD since when its therapeutic application has broadened. RF/M capacity is thought to be shaped by early attachment security and where 鈥榰nderdeveloped鈥� can be bolstered by personal therapy. Developing RF/M is thought to improve therapist wellbeing and enhance client outcomes.
While significant quantitative research on RF/M effectiveness exists little qualitative research exists exploring the therapist鈥檚 lived experience of developing and working with RF/M. My research seeks to contribute to this field.
Who is invited to take part in the research?
I am seeking therapists who
鈥� are qualified to PG Dip Level 7 or Masters and who consider themselves Relational Integrative Psychotherapists.
鈥� Are in currently or have undertaken significant personal therapy
鈥� have an interest in and willingness to reflect on their own mentalising capacity
What would the research entail?
An optional brief questionnaire to reflect on your RF/M capacity and participation in a 1-2-1 semi-structured interview lasting approximately 60-75 minutes. The interview would be around a series of open-ended questions about your experience of RF/M. The interview could be either F2F or online as feels most convenient. I am based in Sheffield but come to Nottingham to study and for supervision quite regularly and could accommodate in either location. Equally an online interview might be more convenient or feel more safe.
The questions are a scaffold to guide a discussion and there will be plenty of space for your own reflections. With consent I would audio-record the interview for purposes of transcribing and then analysing the data. As part of data collection and analysis you would receive a transcript and summary of our discussion to ensure it captures your thoughts and reflections accurately alongside a copy of the final research findings.
You would have opportunity to withdraw from the research process at any point up to 3 weeks after receiving the transcript of your interview.
As part of consenting to participation you would receive a full debriefing via phone conversation with consent form prior to the interview.
If interested please contact me at tim.mitchell@spti.net
Please see the flyer here.
For further information, please see the participants information sheet here, and the informed consent form here.
Thank you for your interest
Tim