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The dilemmas of identity faced by psychodynamic counsellors training in cognitive behavioural therapy
Author(s) -
Owen-Pugh Valerie
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733141003750574
Subject(s) - psychology , psychodynamics , psychotherapist , thematic analysis , modalities , psychological intervention , identity (music) , cognition , qualitative research , social science , physics , neuroscience , psychiatry , sociology , acoustics
Aim : A qualitative study was carried out to explore the dilemmas of identity experienced by qualified psychodynamic counsellors studying cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Method : Participants were students on a BA ‘top‐up’ programme that included an introductory module in CBT. Thematic analyses were carried out on participants' learning journals, and on the transcripts of focus groups convened a year after module completion. Findings : As they first engaged with the module, participants held highly negative views of CBT. Many were also resistant to engaging with module content. Over time, they were increasingly able to appraise CBT as an effective and ethical modality and find ways of integrating their new learning with their core theory. Conclusions : The study illustrates the ways in which macro‐political interventions, such as the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative, can impact on the student experience. Training strategies are proposed for supporting counsellors' engagement with unfamiliar modalities.