Family and systemic psychotherapists' experiences of personal therapeutic consultations as a tool for personal and professional development in training

Abstract

This study investigated family therapists' experiences of personal therapeutic consultations during their training and how this related to personal and professional development (PPD). Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyse one semi‐structured interview with each of four participants. Results: The personal consultations provided a unique and powerful learning opportunity, including learning about the interactional elements of family therapy, therapeutic relationship factors and relational roles. The personal consultations also affected the lives of family members who attended, and in some cases, those who did not. The results raise several ethical considerations including, confusion about the boundary between the personal therapeutic consultations and family therapy, preparedness, and considerations about what we are asking of our families. It is argued that this is a valuable learning, training and PPD opportunity and should be repeated as long as attention is paid to the ethical points highlighted.Practitioner points Trainees' participation in personal therapeutic consultations with members of their own family may have a powerful effect on their learning and subsequent practice. Training institutions and future trainees should be aware of the affect that personal therapeutic consultations can have on relationships. Training institutions should consider personal therapeutic consultations as a tool for PPD as long as attention is paid to the ethical implications highlighted in this study.