Introspection and Psychotherapy

Abstract

Introspection forms the basis for developing the therapeutic relationship and impacts on psychotherapy processes and outcomes. The acquisition of introspective methods requires a thorough understanding of their crucial elements and applied learning processes based thereon. By a transcultural approach, essential training techniques that are used beyond Buddhist philosophical schools and traditions were taught to psychotherapists, psychotherapy patients and students. Their development of self-reference, emotion regulation and empathy was investigated on this basis. Whereas the specification of gradual learning processes facilitated to go beyond stereotypes and superimpositions occurring in buddhist meditation contexts, the use of qualitative methods enabled for an analysis of the idioms employed by the subjects for the corresponding internal processes. The categorization of these results as training techniques, essential aspects, transient experiences, effects or integration allows for approaching the determinants of introspective learning processes, the quantification of specific factors and theory forming. Not only do these findings provide implications for psychotherapists and their patients within clinical settings, but also for psychotherapy education and research.