Learning from experience: Examining the impact of client work upon two trainee therapists

Abstract

This qualitative research study, focusing on the learning and change of two trainee therapists over a nine-month period, was conducted by the trainees themselves. In collecting and analysing their data, the researchers made use of the heuristic methodology, to which some of the principles of the co-operative inquiry methodology were added. The findings shed light on some of the ways in which trainee counsellors and psychotherapists might learn through their work with clients, the forms and contexts in which this learning may arise, and how the learning might affect the trainees. The findings additionally highlight some of the possible benefits of engaging in research for trainee counsellors and psychotherapists, in terms of their roles as practitioners. These include positive changes in the ways in which they work with clients, and changes in the ways they think about their practice.

Keywords:

• Co-operative inquiry
• heuristic research
• learning experiences
• trainees
• creative synthesis

Acknowledgements

This work was carried out as partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Exeter for a Ph.D., and was funded by an ESRC postgraduate studentship (2004–2007). Thanks to Neil Gibson, co-researcher, for the time and effort he put into the study that led to this paper; diploma course tutor, Lynne Souter-Anderson, for reading and approving an earlier draft of the findings; and clinical supervisors, clients, and personal therapists for their invaluable contributions to my development as a counsellor. Thanks also to Terry Hanley and Neil Copland for their comments on an earlier draft of the paper, and to Daniel Green and Murray Cochrane for their patience and encouragement as I made modifications to the paper while we were travelling together in Singapore and Thailand respectively. This study would not have been possible without the consistent support and motivating influence of my academic supervisors and friends, Christine Bennetts and Cheryl Hunt.