Psychotherapists Who Abstain From Personal Therapy: Do They Practice What They Preach?

Psychotherapists Who Abstain From Personal Therapy: Do They Practice What They Preach?

The authors examined the attitudes and reasons of 119 American
psychologists, counselors, and clinical social workers who had never
sought personal therapy. Nontherapy seekers, compared to therapy
seekers, expressed less-positive attitudes toward its value as a
prerequisite for clinical work and for ongoing professional development.
Women, men, and members of all three professions were equally likely
to have sought therapy, but cognitive–behavioral therapists and
academics were significantly less likely to do so. Top reasons for not
undergoing personal therapy entailed dealing with stress in other ways,
receiving sufficient support from friends and family, believing coping
strategies were effective, and resolving the problem before therapy
was needed. The likelihood of seeking personal treatment in the future
as well as reasons for doing so are discussed. & 2008 Wiley
Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1368–1376, 2008.
Keywords: personal therapy; psychotherapists; clinical psychology;
social workers; counselors
‘‘But where and how is the poor wretch to acquire the ideal qualification which
he will need in this profession? The answer is in an analysis of himself, with which
his preparation for his future activity begins.’’ Thus Freud (1937/1964, p. 246)
The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation of the 727 psychotherapists who made this study
possible.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: John C. Norcross, Department of
Psychology
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Vol. 64(12), 1368–1376 (2008) & 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Published online in Wiley InterScie……………………………………

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