Best case scenario: even having the largest screens available to all online participants and an interactive presentation (how often to we observe a professional preparation and not just a dozen of talking heads?), it is impossible to create an atmosphere of a healing presence. Atmosphere of trust, without the risk of internet connection loss; atmosphere of a total participation, where all aspects of perception are included, where the attention is not two-dimensional, but multi-layered, where there is space to move in, make contact, retreat, get closer and perceive, where one is allowed to feel and see in their being, with legs and arms, body heat and their own energy.
In the era of the “great quarantine” the majority of the training went online. On the one hand, this had given us the possibility of breaking borders, on the other hand isn’t this a good example of getting from quality to a quantity, a rushing example of anything goes instead of an in depth understanding of our profession. There is a way to advance deeper, without ignoring a multi-differential view.
Can we become strong psychotherapists when studying online?
Without a doubt, we can gain good information. There is an abundance of information., which we are initially not capable of digesting and internalising.
Is this the best method of education?
The research of (Rønnestad & Skovholt, 2001, 2003, 2013 et. al.) show that the most important aspects of development of a psychotherapist are without a doubt interpersonal. Therefore, the quality of interaction affects the quality of internalized information , integration of the gained experience during the training process and its further application. Therefore, while we have this possibility to meet one another live, present and in contact, both mentally and physically, we shall strive for that.
At the beginning of October, a three day face-to-face intensive seminar had taken place within the framework of Baltic Institute for Psychotherapy. After a year, students from different lands (Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ireland) had personally met. This is both an emotional and intellectual achievement. This group is more than the combination of its parts. If there is team-work in combination with an emotional resonance, then there is a work synergy on many levels: from theoretical understanding of integrative resources to a very practical reliving of the common experience.