Reflections on Non-Discursive Thinking and Prereflective Consciousness in the Supervisory Situation

Abstract

To diversify the perceptions of the supervisee’s work, the supervisor alternates between the discursive thinking mode that organizes the therapeutic experiences into a therapeutic narrative and the non-discursive thinking mode that enables interpretation of the emotional and artistic aspects of this clinical work. The supervisor also alternates between the self-inclusive, abstract, and objectifying reflective consciousness and the self-exclusive, embodied, and non-objectifying prereflective consciousness that emanates from the merger between the perceiver and the perceived. Moving between different forms of understanding the unfolding therapeutic reality vitalizes the supervisory process because movement is associated with life, whereas stillness symbolizes death. This movement also combines the formalistic and creative, scientific and artistic, and intentional and unintentional aspects of the narrated therapeutic interaction. In addition, diversifying the perceptions of clinical situations helps the supervisee develop autonomy and a unique therapeutic discourse, promotes the supervisory process, and indirectly enriches the analytic culture.