| Abstract [eng] |
Considering the current geopolitical and cultural context, the impact of collective experiences, stereotypes, and cultural attitudes on interpersonal relationships and the psychotherapeutic process ios becoming increasingly significant. Within the paradigm of analytical psychology, these phenomena are understood through the concept of cultural complexes, which is associated with collective, historical, and sociocultural experiences. Cultural complexes may hinder the formation of an authetic relationship when a person perceives the other not as an individual personality, but as a representative of particular group of culture. The aim of the study was to explore how Jungian psychotherapists reflect upon and understand the expression of cultural complexes in the psychotherapeutic process. The study involved seven Jungian psychitherapists aged between 40 and 53 years. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the reflexive thematic analysis approach ((Braun & Clarke, 2006). The analysis revealed six themes: 1) power and relationship with authority; 2) identity and relationship with authority; 3) cultural complexes related to the relationship with the other and the perception of the threat; 4) forms of expression of cultural complexes; 5) expression and dynamics of cultural complexes in the psychotherapeutic process; 6) psychotherapist self- reflection in encounters with cultural complexes. The study found that cultural complexes become activated through the opposition of self and other, the perception of threat, and culturally transmitted narratives. They manifest through stereotypical gender role attribution, prejudicial attitudes, dichotomous “black-and-white” thinking and the categorization of people. They are also expressed through difficulties in understanding another person’s experiences, which complicate the development of the therapeutic relationship. Cultural threat and uncertainty. They manifest through intense emotional reactions as well as experiences of inner restriction, relational disruption, and limitation of contact. The study revealed that the awareness of cultural complexes develops through their recognition, naming, and reflection on countertransference reactions, emotional responses, and prejudicial attitudes. Awareness of cultural complex enables the therapists to step back from collective and cultural attitudes and establish a more personal relationship with client. Key words: complex, cultural complexes, psychotherapeutic process, disruption of the psychotherapeutic process. |
