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How does practicing psychotherapy affect the personal life of the therapist? A qualitative inquiry of senior therapists’ experiences

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Pages 737-749 | Received 26 Apr 2014, Accepted 17 Jun 2015, Published online: 25 Jul 2015
 

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how psychotherapists' lives and relationships are influenced by their work. Method: Twelve senior psychotherapists took part in qualitative interviews. Results: Thematic analysis yielded four significant themes: (i) it has been a privilege to know and contribute, and to be allowed to grow personally; (ii) facing suffering and destructiveness has been a burden; (iii) being a therapist has had an impact on my personal relationships—for better and worse; and (iv) I have needed to construct a way of living that allowed me to continue to do the work. Conclusion: Working as a therapist seem to imply a potential for developing openness, tolerance, and creativity, while being vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed with responsibility and feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and despair.

Obiettivo: studiare come la vita e le relazioni degli psicoterapeuti vengono influenzate dal loro lavoro. Metodo: Dodici psicoterapeuti esperti sono stati sottoposti a interviste qualitative. Risultati: Dall'analisi tematica sono emersi quattro temi importanti: (i) è stato un vantaggio per favorire una maggiore conoscenza, e per poter crescere personalmente; (Ii) è stato pesante confrontarsi con la sofferenza e la distruttività; (Iii) essere un terapeuta ha avuto un impatto sulle mie relazioni personali, nel bene e nel male; e (iv) ho avuto bisogno di costruirmi uno stile di vita che mi permettesse di continuare il mio lavoro. Conclusione: Il lavoro di terapeuta sembra potenzialmente favorire lo sviluppo di apertura, tolleranza e creatività, pur rendendo le persone vulnerabili a sentirsi sopraffatti dalla responsabilità e da un senso di inadeguatezza, isolamento e disperazione.

Objetivo: Investigar de que forma as vidas e relações dos psicoterapeutas são influenciadas pelo seu trabalho. Método: Doze psicoterapeutas seniores participaram em entrevistas qualitativas. Resultados: Da análise temática decorreram quatro temas significativos: (i) tem sido um privilégio conhecer e contribuir, e ser-me possibilitado crescer a nível pessoal; (ii) enfrentar o sofrimento e a destrutividade tem sido um fardo; (iii) ser terapeuta teve um impacto sobre as minhas relações pessoais – para o bem e para o mal; e (iv) precisei de construir um modo de vida que me permitisse continuar a trabalhar. Conclusão: Trabalhar como terapeuta parece implicar um potencial para desenvolver abertura, tolerância e criatividade, ao mesmo tempo que vulnerabiliza à sobrecarga de responsabilidade e sentimentos de inadequação, isolamento e desespero.

Ziel: Zu untersuchen, wie das Leben und die Beziehungen von Psychotherapeuten durch ihre Arbeit beeinflusst werden. Methode: Zwölf erfahrene Psychotherapeuten nahmen an qualitativen Interviews teil. Ergebnisse: Die thematische Analyse ergab vier signifikante Themenbereiche: (i) es ist ein Privileg gewesen zu wissen und beizutragen sowie die Möglichkeit gehabt zu haben, persönlich zu wachsen; (ii) die Auseinandersetzung mit Leid und Destruktivität ist eine Last gewesen; (iii) ein Therapeut zu sein hatte einen Einfluss (gut sowie schlecht) auf meine persönlichen Beziehungen; und (iv) ich musste meinen Lebensstil so gestalten, dass es mir ermöglichte, die Arbeit weiterhin auszuüben. Schlussfolgerung: Die Arbeit als Therapeut scheint Potential für die Entwicklung von Offenheit, Toleranz und Kreativität, bei gleichzeitiger Anfälligkeit für Überforderung durch Verantwortungserleben, Unzulänglichkeitsgefühlen sowie Isolation und Verzweifelung mit sich zu bringen.

目標:調查心理治療師的生活以及關係如何受他們工作的影響。方法:12位資深的心理治療師接受質性訪談,結果:透過主題分析法獲得四個重要的主題: (i) 能夠去了解與有所貢獻以及被允許個人成長是一種恩賜;(ii)面對苦難與破壞性因素是一種負擔 (iii)成為一位心理治療師無論好或不好對個人關係上來說都是一種影響 (iv) 我需要建構一個允許我繼續進行這份工作的生活方式。結論:身為一位治療師似乎意味著能夠發展開放性、容忍度與創造力,但是一旦面臨諸多責任或感覺效能不足、孤立或沮喪絕望時,也會覺得很脆弱無助。

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