Does Person-of-the-Therapist Training (POTT) Promote Self-Caring Attitude for Trainees in a Chinese Society? A Directed Content Analysis at a University in Taiwan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Literature has demonstrated the importance of self-care for marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and trainees. However, little research elaborated on how we can promote self-care in therapist training and education, especially in Chinese societies. This study focused on the self-caring attitude graduate students reported after enrolling in a Person-of-the-Therapist Training (POTT) class taught at a university in Taiwan. In this class, students were required to write a final paper to reflect on the personal and professional changes they had experienced during this class and to provide feedback about the class. These de-identified final papers from research participating students were the source of the qualitative data. Using directed content analysis, the author found that the students’ self-caring attitude improved after the course. Cultural and contextual factors that might have influenced participants’ self-caring attitude during this process are discussed. Clinical and training recommendations for educators are included as well.