Working From Unexpected Places of Passion: Becoming a Psychotherapist to Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents and therapist professional development are two areas in psychological literature that have remained relatively untouched for more than 20 years. Research provides evidence that many adolescents suffer from mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety; yet there is a lack of appropriate care. Much of the research on adolescents and therapists who work with them has tended to examine the resistance or struggle involved in treatment. Some research, however, has pointed to the therapist as being the instiller of hope and transformation for the adolescent.
Based on these findings, this researcher hypothesizes that some type of positive energy, or passion, for the work may be necessary on behalf of the therapist, to instill hope for the adolescent and motivate the therapist to specialize in working with adolescents. The present study aimed to answer two main research questions: (a) What draws therapists to devote themselves to working with adolescents? and, (b) How might therapists’ increased awareness about their reasons for working with this population potentially improve their effectiveness with this age group? How would a greater awareness of this affect their own inner work to discover and explore their own woundedness?
The researcher interviewed 11 licensed therapists from four counties in Southern California who specialized in working with adolescents. Their interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) methodology. As a result, six main themes emerged for further analysis: The Unknown, Love, Fear, Death, Hope, and Awe. Results were further explained using direct quotes from the research participants and applied to two main themes in depth psychology: alchemy and synchronicity. Analysis of these themes that emerged during the course of this research, as related to the themes that emerged from depth psychology, may help therapists who specialize in adolescents to continue their own development as well as guide their work with adolescents. Limitations and implications for further research are also discussed.