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When you choose a genre, it means that you will be working within that framework for many years or even a lifetime. When I was sitting in the first class of the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI) on 8 September 2019, I was still questioning myself: “Was it right to choose the topic of psychoanalytic therapy, to choose the object relations, and to choose IPI?” Many students raised the same question in the first class. I remember some of classmates asked, “Why of all the schools of psychoanalysis, do I have to learn about object relations?” I forgot exactly what the IPI teachers said. But in harvesting my learning, I have found my own answers from my theoretical study and from group supervision at IPI.
My first experience with a supervisor was with David Scharff. When I introduced myself and my job, I said I had worked for more than six years, and I asked him if I was still a greenhorn. He smiled and said that he was also still a novice. He pointed out my empathy for my client in the group supervision. And he also pointed out the inappropriate point of my reply. At that time, I was trying to learn to be more empathetic to my clients. David gave me a lot of encouragement even whilst pointing out things I could improve.
Colleen Sandor was my second group supervisor. I can always find the key points that are most useful for my work during her work with us. Once one of my clients missed an appointment and I still charged her for it. I wondered if I shouldn't have taken her money because of her past life experience. Colleen told me that in this case, she would not charge. But, she said, I can do it the way I feel comfortable with. The focus of my studies at that time was to maintain the therapy framework. Colleen taught me more about how to maintain my boundaries, while at the same time I also had firm support from her.
Sue Cebulko was my third group supervisor. At that time, I felt as if I was sailing on a vast ocean, trying to find my anchor. She told me I was righ