Fortigenic qualities of psychotherapists in practice

Abstract

This brief report presents preliminary findings on the exploration of strengths (fortigenic) qualities of psychotherapists which can buffer them against compassion fatigue. Participants were seven South African psychologists in private practice. Data were collected using qualitative interviews and thematically analysed using narrative analysis. Findings suggest fortigenic qualities such as resilience, acceptance, appreciation and passion, humour, philosophy of life and a higher level of logic act as buffers against compassion fatigue.

Keywords:

• Fortigenesis
• resilience
• compassion fatigue
• burnout
• stress of conscience
• psychotherapists
• private practice
• qualitative research