Choosing a Therapist whilst in Training: South Indian/Indian origin Trainee Psychotherapists’ Experiences.

This study explores my experience as a South Indian trainee psychotherapist in the UK and examines how personal therapy is understood and approached within this context. Having emigrated from India in my mid-twenties, I often experienced a sense of isolation alongside cultural beliefs that emotional difficulties should remain within the family. When my training required me to engage in personal therapy, this brought an internal conflict between the professional expectation of openness and self-reflection, and an upbringing that valued privacy and emotional restraint. This tension felt particularly significant within the helping professions, where acknowledging a need for support can evoke concerns about perceived weakness or professional suitability.

This research addresses that gap in understanding how South Indian trainee psychotherapists approach selecting a personal therapist. This decision requires balancing personal preferences, professional expectations, and emotional readiness, yet little is known about how trainees make sense of these factors. By exploring how South Indian trainees in the UK experience this process, the study aims to inform training programmes and support systems that promotes thoughtful and meaningful engagement with personal therapy.

The study will involve a single semi-structured interview lasting approximately 60–90 minutes.

Interviews will be conducted either virtually via Microsoft Teams or, where applicable, in person at university premises.

I am particularly interested in how trainees make sense of this decision, which involves balancing personal preferences, cultural values, professional expectations, and emotional readiness. By exploring these experiences, the study aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of trainee engagement with personal therapy and to inform training programmes and support structures in ways that foster more thoughtful and meaningful participation.

To view the participant information sheet, please see here.
To take part and for more information, please see here.