How do existential counselling psychologists and psychotherapists feel they construct a sense of being attuned to their clients? A grounded theory study.

Existential counselling psychologists and/or psychotherapists feel that particular moments in psychotherapy can give rise to feelings within them, which they feel can tell them something about the experience of the inner world of the other. This study explores this non-verbal and embodied aspect of the psychotherapeutic relationship using the construct of ‘being attuned’ to clients. Currently, there is a lack of research exploring this topic from existential practitioners’ perspective. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used where eight existential practitioners were interviewed.
The concepts being dependent on the inner self, communicating non-verbally, being internally preoccupied, meeting as equals, bringing into view, being supervised and being relational-specific are illuminated as a result of this study. The two key processes found were being empathic and attuned and being within and between. The findings highlight the importance of existential practitioners’ use of their self when sensing, understanding and being with their clients on a non-verbal and embodied level. This study suggests that implementing a relational based understanding of existential practitioners’ use of their self on a non-verbal and embodied level will increase their understanding of their role in the psychotherapeutic encounter and potentially improve their clinical practice.