ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author considers the way in which “parallel process” has become a mantra, cited in some cases in virtually every psychodynamic supervision session in the supervision jargon of not a few practitioners who are actually suspicious of psychodynamic theory and practice. Parallel process became like the child’s secret friend. Although transference is the parallel that he draws, in fact it is counter transference that is more relevant to understanding his idea. In making this point Harold Searles is suggesting that there are other ways of understanding parallel process—that it may be nothing to do with the original therapy being reported, but more to do with what is happening in supervision. He would store away his feeling until, as in therapy itself, there is some other communication that provides confirmation that his reaction might be relevant. Parallel process is used to describe things that are staring the supervisory pair in the face.
