The Use of Personal Therapy in the Training of Psychologists

Abstract

This dissertation investigated the use of personal therapy in the training of psychologists and clinical psychology students from two distinct theoretical orientations: cognitive behavioral and psychoanalytic. Qualitative case study methodology was used to explicate the experiences of eight participants. The study findings suggested that psychoanalytic psychologists view personal therapy as a vital component of clinical training, including its role in relief of symptoms, improved empathy, enhanced awareness of a broad range interpersonal and relational unconscious dynamics as well as increased affect tolerance. The study findings indicated that the cognitive behavioral psychologists and graduate students perceive personal therapy on range from not helpful to somewhat helpful although not necessary and replaceable with effective training. The study also revealed that psychoanalytic psychologists or graduate students often begin therapy due to professor recommendation, whereas cognitive behavioral clinicians typically do not receive faculty referrals. Implications for training, education, clinical work and future research were offered.