Connotative Meaning of Time in Therapists' Conceptualization of Psychotherapeutic Interventions

Abstract

This study examined the connotative meaning which beginner ( n = 15), intermediate ( n = 14), and advanced ( n = 15) therapists assigned to time in psychotherapy and their perception of time as a factor in designing therapeutic interventions. Therapists' conceptualization of the subjective experience of time as a component of psychotherapeutic interventions was assessed by examining their selection of metaphors for time, their semantic differential assessments of past, present, and future perspectives, and through their responses to a semistructured interview. Therapists at all three levels of experience appeared to view time for their clients as moving slowly, promoting growth, and allowing progress, with an emphasis on the importance of future time-based interventions for growth while the clients' past was viewed as reflective of distress. Responses appeared to be atheoretical and idiosyncratic, showing lack of clear integration of time with specific treatment interventions.