When Personal and Professional Worlds Collide: An exploration of trainee counselling psychologists’ experience of having a relative with mental health problems

This research has attempted to gain an insight into the lived experience of trainee counselling psychologists who have a mentally ill relative and how they experience that personally, professionally and academically. The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and the findings were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The sample consists of eight individuals who are on a UK-based Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology course. Four super-ordinate themes were identified: 1. Negotiating roles: Personal identity versus therapy identity; 2. Continuing a therapy role within a personal space: Personal impact 3. Personal influence within a professional role; and 4. A space for personal development. The results highlight that the participant experience had a considerable negative and positive impact on the trainee psychologist’s personal and professional lives. The study has demonstrated that the participants need more support within this area and it may be beneficial for trainees to seek extra support from their universities and for educators to gain awareness of the demands placed on a trainee who may be in a similar situation so that they can offer them additional support.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

City University London

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Phrydas, Niki

• BF Psychology