Therapist identity formation of students and practitioners of psychology of education

Abstract

Therapist identity formation is an important part of the development of the therapist training programme. It results in numerous changes for the therapist and is often an emotive developmental stage. The therapist develops his identity by doing therapy, but before he is able to do that, he needs to understand what he sees the role of therapy to be, as well as developing his own therapeutic skills. Fortunately there are personality traits which enhance this identity formation process. It is by his own actions and involvement that the therapist accomplishes this multifaceted process. The effects of this identity formation are varied and require the therapist to undergo introspection on a number of issues which affect his own life-world. The formation of a successful therapist identity results in a therapist who experiences a sense of unity and congruence in who he is and what he does.