Exploring the meaning in meaningful coincidences: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of synchronicity in therapy

Aim/Purpose: There has been limited systematic research that has explored the phenomenology of synchronicity experiences in different clinical settings. This study aims to redress this by exploring the process and nature of these experiences from the perspective of the clinician. Design/Methodology: A qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996, 2009) explored the phenomenology of synchronicity experiences by interviewing a purposive sample of clinicians who report such experiences in their therapeutic sessions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three counsellors, three psychologists and three psychotherapists and focused on how synchronicity experiences are interpreted, what features influence these interpretations, how participants make sense of these experiences, and whether synchronicity experiences were perceived to be useful in therapy. Ethical approval was received from the School of Social Sciences Ethics Committee. Results/Findings: Three superordinate themes were identified that illuminate how participants interpret, understand, and deal with synchronicity experiences in therapy: 'sense of connectedness', 'therapeutic process', and 'professional issues'. Most participants commented on how their experience of synchronicity in the therapeutic setting was a profound moment that facilitated growth in their clients and resulted in a stronger therapeutic relationship. These superordinate themes also have 10 constituent subthemes which will be reported at the conference alongside participant extracts to demonstrate how they are grounded in the data and as a way of validating interpretations. Research Limitations: Due to the small sample size inherent in most qualitative research designs, findings cannot be generalised to any great extent, but can provide insights into how some therapists makes sense of synchronicity experiences. Smith and Osborn (2003) point out that IPA research seeks to explore in-depth the lived experience of individuals who are a homogeneous group rather than making generalisations that are applicable to all. Conclusions/Implications: Synchronicity experiences are perceived to be a useful ‘tool' for the therapeutic process, which has important implications for training and supervision. Findings support an integrative approach to therapy that acknowledges anomalous experiences, such as synchronicity events, as subjectively real for the client and therapist