{"id":{"repo_id":"middlesex","oai_identifier":"oai:repository.mdx.ac.uk:279692"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/middlesex/oai:repository.mdx.ac.uk:279692","repository":{"repo_id":"middlesex","name":"Middlesex University","base_url":"https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/oai2"},"display":{"title":"My work here is done? A collaborative arts-informed narrative inquiry into the stories of senior psychotherapy practitioners as they contemplate retirement","abstract":"The focus of this qualitative research project is to explore the experiences and stories of senior psychotherapy practitioners as they consider the transition towards retirement. This is an under-investigated area of professional practice and research. A methodology incorporating a visual narrative inquiry was adopted, together with a highly reflexive approach. Participants were able to contribute text, visual, and other art-based data on an electronic bulletin board, which also allowed the participants to interact and engage in collaborative meaning-making. The data was analysed with reference to McCormack lenses as part of the process of producing highly subjective, interpretive stories. A major finding from this process was the presence of ambivalence towards the notion of retirement, with the participants experiencing both a draw towards retirement, and a pulling back from it. In the process of the research some participants made the decision to retire. Stories are a powerful way of sharing personal experiences and create opportunities for others to resonant with the personal narratives. The project highlighted the possibility to further develop the methodology and methods as a way of meaningful engagement with research participants, where the exploration of highly subjective experiences is a central part of the research investigation.","abstract_html":"The focus of this qualitative research project is to explore the experiences and stories of senior psychotherapy practitioners as they consider the transition towards retirement. This is an under-investigated area of professional practice and research. A methodology incorporating a visual narrative inquiry was adopted, together with a highly reflexive approach. Participants were able to contribute text, visual, and other art-based data on an electronic bulletin board, which also allowed the participants to interact and engage in collaborative meaning-making. The data was analysed with reference to McCormack lenses as part of the process of producing highly subjective, interpretive stories. A major finding from this process was the presence of ambivalence towards the notion of retirement, with the participants experiencing both a draw towards retirement, and a pulling back from it. In the process of the research some participants made the decision to retire. Stories are a powerful way of sharing personal experiences and create opportunities for others to resonant with the personal narratives. 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