Trainee clinical psychlogists' experience of personal psychotherapy in the context of professional training.

Abstract

Personal therapy for psychologists in training has been the subject of extensive debate but little systematic research. Only a few studies have explored the issue from the trainee‘s perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate trainee clinical psychologists‘ subjective experience of personal psychotherapy in the context of professional training. The participant sample was distinctive in that they had to undergo mandatory personal therapy as a training requirement. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine intern clinical psychologists who had all done their psychodynamically oriented training at the same university. Thematic content analysis was used to generate salient themes relevant to the self-perceived impact of mandatory personal therapy on participants‘ personal and professional development. While some initial ambivalence and resistance to mandated treatment was evident, participants generally considered their personal therapy to have provided a valuable learning experience that complemented their professional training by deepening their understanding of the therapeutic process and the dynamics of psychotherapy. It was reported to increase empathy for their patients, to promote greater awareness of countertransference dynamics, and to serve a modelling function. Participants reported an increased appreciation of the value of personal therapy and eight of the nine participants endorsed mandatory personal therapy as a professional training requirement. Time, financial cost and the emotional strain of self-inquiry were mentioned as negative features of personal therapy.