Abstract
AbstractBackgroundThis study addresses the thorny issue of mandatory personal psychotherapy within counselling and psychotherapy training. It is expensive, emotionally demanding and time‐consuming. Nevertheless, proponents argue that it is essential in protecting the public and keeping clients safe; to ensure psychotherapists develop high levels of self‐awareness and gain knowledge of interpersonal dynamics; and that it enhances therapist effectiveness. Existing evidence about these potential benefits is equivocal and is largely reliant on small‐scale qualitative studies.MethodWe carried out a systematic review of literature searched within five major databases. The search identified 16 published qualitative research studies on the topic of mandatory personal psychotherapy that matched the inclusion criteria. All studies were rated for quality. The findings from individual studies were thematically analysed through a process of meta‐synthesis.ResultsMeta‐synthesis showed studies on mandatory psychotherapy had reported both positive and hindering factors in almost equal number. Six main themes were identified: three positive and three negative. Positive findings were related to personal and professional development, experiential learning and therapeutic benefits. Negative findings related to ethical imperatives do no harm, justice and integrity.ConclusionWhen mandatory personal psychotherapy is used within a training programme, courses must consider carefully and put ethical issues at the forefront of decision‐making. Additionally, the requirement of mandatory psychotherapy should be positioned and identified as an experiential pedagogical device rather than fulfilling a curative function. Recommendations for further research are made.
Highlights
What should or should not be involved in providing a comprehensive and effective training for counsellors and psychotherapists is open to debate, and remains an issue of central importance for everyone involved in the education, regulation and governance of the profession
This study aims to develop the evidence base pertaining to mandatory personal psychotherapy during training and, to guide future policy for mandating personal psychotherapy for trainees
We have presented a number of conclusions for the profession to address: 1) In the light of the qualitative research evidence, mandatory personal therapy should be positioned as a pedagogical device, an intensive form of experiential learning that can sit alongside the lecture, the workshop, the personal development group, the skills practice session within a training programme
Summary
What should or should not be involved in providing a comprehensive and effective training for counsellors and psychotherapists is open to debate, and remains an issue of central importance for everyone involved in the education, regulation and governance of the profession (the terms counselling and psychotherapy and counsellor and psychotherapist are referred to as synonymous throughout this paper). Access to the profession is already considered exclusive of people from lower socio-economic backgrounds (Liu & Colbow, 2017) It is imperative for the professional and regulatory bodies, The authors recognise that there is difference of opinion over the precise activities carried out under the titles ‘counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’. This study addresses the thorny issue of mandatory personal psychotherapy within counselling and psychotherapy training It is expensive, emotionally demanding and time consuming. Proponents argue that it is essential in: protecting the public and keeping clients safe; to ensure psychotherapists develop high levels of self-awareness, and gain knowledge of interpersonal dynamics; and that it enhances therapist effectiveness Existing evidence about these potential benefits is equivocal and is largely reliant on small scale qualitative studies.
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