Encounter is defined as the dialogue that takes place between two (2) individuals or two (2) aspects of the same individual meeting another individual or another part of themselves.
In the psychology context, an encounter can refer to a meeting or interaction between two or more individuals, or between an individual and a group or system. Encounters can be positive or negative, and they can range from brief and casual to more extended and significant.
Examples of encounters in the psychology context include:
- A therapy session between a client and a mental health professional
- A social interaction between two friends or colleagues
- An encounter with a police officer or other authority figure
- An encounter with a healthcare provider or medical system
- An encounter with a natural disaster or other traumatic event
Encounters can have an impact on an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and they can also shape the way that individuals perceive and relate to others and the world around them. Psychologists and other mental health professionals may study and analyze encounters as part of their work, in order to understand how they affect people and how they can be managed or resolved in a healthy and productive way.