Psychotherapy expertise in Singapore: A qualitative investigation |
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| Authors: | Len Jennings Vilma D'Rozario Michael Goh Ashley Sovereign Megan Brogger Thomas Skovholt |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Graduate School of Professional Psychology , University of St. Thomas , Minnesota, Minneapolislljennings@stthomas.edu;3. Department of Psychological Studies , National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore;4. Department of Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology , University of Minnesota , Minnesota;5. College of Psychology and Behavior Science , Argosy University , Minneapolis, Minnesota;6. Graduate School of Professional Psychology , University of St. Thomas , Minnesota, Minneapolis |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Personal characteristics, developmental influences, and therapy practices of nine peer-nominated expert psychotherapists practicing in the diverse country of Singapore were identified using qualitative methods. Sixteen themes were organized within four categories: (a) personal characteristics (empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful); (b) developmental influences (experience, self-awareness, humility, self-doubt); (c) approach to practice (balance between support and challenge, flexible therapeutic stance, empowerment/strength-based approach, primacy of the therapeutic alliance, comfortable addressing spirituality, embraces working within a multicultural context); and (d) ongoing professional growth (professional development practices, benefits of teaching/training others, challenges to professional development in Singapore). Cross-cultural comparisons between this study and Jennings and Skovholt's (1999) study of Minnesota expert psychotherapists found considerable overlap of themes. Implications for research and practice of psychotherapy are offered. |
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| Keywords: | process research psychotherapist training/supervision/development qualitative research methods brief psychotherapy long-term psychotherapy outcome research |
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