How are recent changes to primary care mental health provision within the NHS affecting psychodynamic counsellors’ construction and management of their professional identities? A Foucauldian perspective

Abstract

The research used Foucauldian techniques to explore how counsellors currently working for the NHS construct and manage their professional identities in the face of changes imposed on them by the institution. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with four counsellors and one doctoral student, all with substantial experience working for the NHS. A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis revealed four main subjectivities that were made available; feeling like part of a process at times; the NHS imposes limitations on their practice; feeling able to retain their professional standards despite the limitations and lack of influence; feeling proud of, and satisfied with the work they do. Places in which the participants explored ways of constructing a professional identity were also explored.

Keywords:

• psychotherapist
• NHS
• IAPT
• Foucault Discourse Analysis
• professional identity