A qualitative study into the experience of mandatory personal therapy during training

Abstract

A small scale qualitative study was carried out to investigate the experiences of attendees of a Masters Degree in counselling. The study used an in depth semi-structured group interview and analysed the data using a form of grounded theory. The key findings suggest that personal therapy for trainees can be a positive experience and can enhance the process of becoming a professional counsellor. The findings are put forward in terms of a model illustrating how therapy can be of use to trainees. This involves the trainee experiencing the emergence of four key processes: reflexivity, growth, authenticity and prolongation.

Keywords:

• Personal therapy
• counselling training
• reflexivity
• empathy

Notes

This paper is based on a presentation made at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 9^th Annual Research Conference 2003.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Murphy

This paper is based on a presentation made at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 9th Annual Research Conference 2003.