PERSONAL THERAPY IN THE TRAINING OF PSYCHOLOGIST

Clinical and counselling psychologists in B.C. were surveyed about their opinions on personal therapy as a component of professional training, and about the circumstances under which personal therapy had been provided to them while they were in graduate school. Respondents identified potential benefits and risks of personal therapy. The majority, 88%, saw at least one benefit for the experience, and 83% saw at least one risk. About half (41%) of them had undergone therapy as part of their clinical training, and in many cases this experience was provided in a manner inconsistent with ethical guidelines. Of those receiving personal therapy, 46% reported that therapy was required rather than optional, 62% were not able to choose their therapist, and 69% received therapy from an academic colleague. Several ethical issues concerning therapeutic interventions in the training of psychotherapists are discussed.