Being a Psychotherapist

Abstract

There is a growing understanding that the therapist self enters the therapy process in newlinemany ways. A mixed methods study, with a qualitative dominant design, was newlineconceptualized to understand how therapists beliefs and values impact therapy practice. newlineData was collected from 16 practicing psychotherapists using a questionnaire and an indepth newlineinterview. Data threw light on therapist motivations for training to be a therapist, newlinefactors in choice of theoretical orientation, training, supervision and practice newlinecharacteristics. Therapists believed personal qualities, interpersonal qualities and newlinecognitive competencies facilitated therapeutic work. Expressing empathy and warmth, newlinebeing present, attuned, available and steady and providing holding and containment newlinecontributed to the therapeutic alliance. Client related beliefs, such as human nature is newlinegood, environment plays a role and free will trumps the preordained were central. newlineRecognizing personal limitations and acknowledging they were only facilitators in the newlineprocess helped them stay focused on their therapeutic role. Believing therapist knowledge newlineand skills were necessary, led them to seek personal therapy and supervision. Therapists newlinereligious/spiritual beliefs were interwoven with the theoretical orientation; permeated newlinetherapeutic techniques, helped make meaning of the therapeutic role, and facilitated newlinepersonal growth. Acceptance, honesty, compassion, freedom, autonomy and newlineempowerment, excellence, equality, respect, humility and openness to experience were newlinevalues that guided therapeutic practice. Narratives indicated how cultural factors shaped newlinetherapist world-views, thereby impacting psychotherapeutic practice. A grounded theory newlinemodel that outlined transformational processes that linked the therapist self with newlinetherapeutic practice was developed. The study has implications for psychotherapy newlinetraining, practice, supervision and research. newlineKeywords: psychotherapy research, therapist factors, beliefs and values, therapist newlineworld-views, motivating factors. newline newline