Publication details
Interaction of personal and professional aspects during the beginning phase of psychotherapist professional development
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| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Citation | |
| Description | This study focused on the ways of interaction between personal and professional aspects during the development of Personal therapeutic approach (PTA) in beginning gestalt therapists. The aim of the study was to explore how beginning therapists integrate professional knowledge and skills with personal aspects. Seven in-depth interviews with beginning therapists were conducted; grounded theory was used for data analysis. The analysis led to the conceptualization of two basic components of PTA: Personal core and Professional extension. These parts are in continual interaction which stimulates the development of PTA. Four specific ways of interaction were identified: 1) cultivation of already existing personal experience and skills; 2) adoption of new elements; 3) developing a polarity to one`s natural tendencies; and 4) bracketing personal issues and reactions. These four ways of interaction can be combined into more complex interactions. The main findings indicate that the principle of autonomy is strongly present even in the beginning phase of therapist development. These findings are contrary to earlier assumptions that beginning therapists do basically imitate their mentors or senior therapists. Moreover, personal life and experience appear to be essential for professional development as they participate in the process of adoption of professional knowledge and skills and might be straightly integrated into PTA through the cultivation process. |
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