What are the Experiences of Therapeutic Rupture and Repair for Clients and Therapists within Long‐Term Psychodynamic Therapy?

Despite outcome research demonstrating that a rupture–repair process in the therapeutic relationship can be beneficial, there is a lack of qualitative research on ruptures and how they are repaired. This study explored parallel accounts of therapeutic ruptures produced by clients and therapists during long‐term psychodynamic therapy. Interviews were conducted with four client–therapist dyads and were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Themes found included: clients' experience of the danger of emotional experience (Negative emotions as dangerous); accounts of the discovery during therapy being a difficult and gradual experience (Therapeutic discovery; gradual and hard work; to and fro); the experience of the hurdles within the therapeutic relationship (The struggle; not knowing; control and power); then followed by a connection (The positive connection; emotional sensitivity; shining a light). The results are discussed in relation to a number of core concepts in psychodynamic therapy.