‘It's hard to feel on the ball’: practising psychotherapy as a clinical psychologist

Abstract

While clinical psychologists have various responsibilities and roles, practising psychotherapy has been consistently found to be the profession's primary activity. This article presents a qualitative phenomenological exploration of clinical psychologists' journal reflections on their psychotherapeutic practice and on their experience of attending psychotherapy training days. Previous research on clinical psychologists' practice has been predominantly quantitative, so this research adds to the limited qualitative research in this area. The journals of seven clinical psychologists underwent a close analysis with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three master themes were identified in relation to the clinical psychologists' psychotherapy practice and experience of training in this area – Impact on the self, Impact on emotions and energy and Developing and protecting the self. This study offers an in-depth insight into the personal and professional challenges in practising psychotherapy as well as into the immediate benefits of receiving structured professional input and support for this work. The implications for the continued professional development of clinical psychologists practising psychotherapy are discussed, highlighting the need for regular reflective space and for ongoing opportunities to develop and affirm their theoretical knowledge, capabilities and skills.