Fear of losing it: an auto-ethnographic case study exploring re-triggered loss experiences during psychotherapy training

The aim of this article is to explore loss experiences within a counselling and psychotherapy training arena, an environment that effects individual change. It uses an auto-ethnographic case study format and data in the form of photographs, hybridised client material, journal entries and commentaries in order to reflexively consider loss material. It does this with a view to creating a narrative that enables readers to consider their emotions, thoughts and reactions to the material presented. It concludes that loss and grief can be re-triggered. Loss is inevitable. However, hidden loss affects our ability to manage change and has the potential to create transgenerational patterns.