On becoming a pluralistic therapist: A case study of a student's reflexive journal

Abstract

BackgroundCounselling psychology training courses in the UK are required to focus upon at least two therapeutic approaches. Such a stipulation means that trainees need to become competent at navigating the complexities associated with therapeutic integration (e.g. tolerating its ambiguous nature), a factor that proves commensurate with the pluralistic stance often advocated in the theoretical writings of counselling psychologists. This study intends to explore such challenges and engage with the philosophical nature of ‘being and becoming’ a pluralistic therapist.MethodA case study design has been adopted to reflect in depth upon one counselling psychology trainee’s understanding of their developing therapeutic practice. The trainee in question kept a detailed reflexive journal whilst undertaking a training activity which involved working as a therapist over a six-week period with a colleague on the same training programme. Cooper and McLeod’s (2011) pluralistic framework for counselling and psychotherapy was actively utilised to harness the therapeutic work. The journal was analysed using thematic analysis with a view to eliciting the major themes associated to the trainee’s experience of ‘becoming a pluralistic therapist’.FindingsAnalysis of the data would indicate that the trainee was becoming a pluralistic therapist through the interaction between four selves: the Reflective Self, Thoughtful Self, Relational Self, and Skilled Self. Each of these is briefly introduced and discussed.Discussion and ConclusionThe paper ends by reflecting upon the complexities inherent in using pluralist philosophy to underpin therapeutic work. Incorporated within this, it reflects upon some of the challenges associated with using the pluralistic framework in practice. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for those training in programmes that advocate pluralistic practice. In particular the importance of understanding pluralistic philosophy, the positive role of ambiguity, the personal nature of training, and the need for further research in this area are outlined.