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Interest in the field of research
My background is important in understanding my interest in this field of research. In 1998, being a student in training for the MA Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, I was introduced by Prof Dave Beyers to the theory of the interactional systemic approach to psychotherapy (Haley, 1973; Nardone & Watzlawick, 1993; Watzlawick, Weakland & Fisch, 1974). Although this theory does not imply the concepts of positive psychology, the underlying interactional dynamics however, do. The theory is based on the work of Watzlawick, Beaven, Jackson (1967, 1977) and others of the Mental Research Institute (MRI) Palo Alto, California, USA. Basic assumptions of General Systems Theory are applied, such as 1) a focus on relationships between individuals with patterns of human communication as fundamental to understand behaviour change (and not a focus on the individual per se); 2) subjective experiences are acknowledged; 3) behaviour is purposeful and dealt with in the here-and-now; 4) systems are open, not closed; and 5) the therapist is part of the therapeutic system, but as participant-observer (Vorster, 2003). Thus, the emphases are on the person in relationship to others, patterns of purposeful behaviour in the hereand now context are the foci and the goal is constructive change in behaviour.
This period marks a watershed in my academic career, where my training guided my thinking towards recognising a shift from focussing only on symptomatology in psychology towards a more systemic approach to the person. From there my interest was triggered in the field of salutogenesis, positive psychology and wellbeing, through exposure in my clinical training and I see this as a logical next step in the development of my own thinking.
My interest in the current topic stems from my personal experience as a young clinical psychologist starting in the field of private practice. I participated in a research study investigating the well-being of the young psychotherapist. Viljoen (2004) looks at the experience of starting out as a young psychotherapist and the implications for academic training, from a social constructionist viewpoint. My participation in this research study sparked my interest in the field of well-being for psychotherapists.
Furthermore, I am a member of a monthly supervision group for psychotherapists in private practice. This is where I became aware of the importance of well-being and of ethical conduct in maintaining a practice. Nichols (1988) highlights the importance of ethics and suggests that a psychologist who neglects good selfcare could be seen as guilty of irresponsibility in their professional behaviour. I plan to explore whether ethical conduct in practice would feature as a theme in the narratives of the conversational partners. I cannot pre-empt such findings, but I have to see whether this emerges in the private narratives of the conversational partners.
Chapter One Introduction
Introduction
Interest in the field of research
Motivation for the study
Objectives of the research
Research design and method
Narrative style
Overview of the chapters
Conclusion
Chapter Two Psychotherapists in private practice: an ambivalent context
Introduction
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapeutic private practice
Burnout and mental health care
Stress of conscience
Career satisfaction
Demands of private practice
Influences in private practice
Important skills
Professional ethics
Networks
Autonomy
Cultural competence
Chapter Three Fortology- building a fortress of theory
Chapter Four Research methodology- step by step
Chapter Five Exploration of the research narratives.
Chapter Six Findings and discussion: A synergy of the conversations, the reflections and the research material
Chapter Seven Creating a new story or narrative in therapeutic practice
Chapter Eight Critique, conclusions and recommendations
List of Referenceces
