What brings you here? An exploration of the unconscious motivations of those who choose to train and work as psychotherapists and counsellors

Abstract

This paper is based on a research study of therapists' unconscious motivations for their choice of profession. The rationale arose from the author's observation of a substantial increase in recent years both in the number of counselling courses on offer and in the number of people wishing to become counsellors and psychotherapists. While many of the newer courses are university based with an emphasis on academic achievement, the practice of therapy continues to take place within a boundaried setting and is based on a relationship between therapist and client. Applicants for training commonly express a desire to ‘help’ and ‘understand’ others, often with minimal awareness of the origins of that desire. What are the unconscious motivations and gratifications for the would-be therapist? What is the shadow side of altruism and how might that affect what happens in the consulting room? The paper looks at initial attitudes and reasons for choosing to work in the field of psychotherapy/counselling, examines whether these may change over time and with experience, and considers the importance of personal therapy for both the trainee and the qualified therapist. The author interviewed nine experienced psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapists about their professional and personal histories. Two major themes of early loss and narcissistic needs emerged and these are discussed in conjunction with relevant literature and the concept of the ‘wounded healer’. The importance of the relationship between therapist and client is highlighted and the desirability of personal therapy for safe and effective practice is emphasized.

Keywords:

• Unconscious motivation
• loss
• narcissistic needs
• training
• personal therapy

Acknowledgements

My thanks go to the nine psychotherapists who agreed to be interviewed for my research. I am deeply grateful to them for their interest, their generosity of spirit and their willingness to share with me their personal experience. I also wish to thank Fiona Gardner for her quiet support and encouragement.