Abstract
Cotherapy is a widely used modality for intervening in group and family therapy contexts, as well as for training psychotherapists. Despite wide application the practice is poorly understood and available theorizing relies on anecdotal accounts and individualistic conceptualizations. This study explored and described the cotherapist subsystem as a unit within the overall aim to construct a theory of cotherapy. Four cotherapy teams were recruited from public and private healthcare settings in a large city in South Africa. Data were gathered through joint interviewing and solicited participant diaries. Interview transcripts and participant diaries were analyzed using an abbreviated version of social constructionist grounded theory (SCGT). Analysis resulted in the creation of three main categories from active interaction with the data. From these categories a core category was developed. The core category “The recursive construction of a shared therapeutic healing process” revealed that cotherapists intersubjectively construct a therapeutic mind while simultaneously facilitating a curative relationship with their clients. The findings indicated that there is a need for cotherapy training and supervision by competent cotherapy supervisors in public and private healthcare settings. Self-reflective practice is recommended for cotherapists, cotherapy teams, and cotherapy supervisors.
D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)