The Influence of the Theoretical Models

All of the participants mentioned the psychotherapeutic models of intervention and some of them mentioned them several times during their interview. Carol described each individual psychotherapeutic model as being somewhat restricted as none of the models have: “100% of the answers”. Carol reflected that at the time of training she had used the models in a purist sense and later had become more accustomed to using the different theoretical models in combination:

Carol: “…I think I have found through my training and also having

qualified and even up to date, that I find I kind of move in-between the

different theories and approaches”. Adding: “If one model….no space for the uniqueness of the individual”.

It is worth highlighting that Carol speaks of the influence of the theoretical models as being throughout her practice, from her training to her current practice and whilst the theoretical model that she calls upon changes,

throughout her interview she refers to their influence of them as being ever- present in her psychotherapeutic practice.

Pauline had started practicing from a person-centered model, then early in her career was, “straddling” both person-centered and psychodynamic models. Pauline described keeping the cognitive “slightly aside” and whilst working in family therapy she had used a systemic model of psychotherapeutic intervention. Pauline said that she had always had her “eyes open” to different models and was open to adding to the “tool bag”.

Whilst interviewing, Pauline mentioned that at all stages the theoretical models had been influential, whilst training, the psychodynamic model had:

Pauline: “…made a tremendous amount of sense”.

However, she stated that she currently did not feel the need to be purist and described her current psychotherapeutic model as, “… I have become integrative”. As with Carol, Pauline speaks at length about the part the theoretical models play in her influencing her psychotherapeutic practice from training to the current time. Stating that the models are what a practitioner has to understand the person, she is therefore always adding to the tool bag:

Pauline: “… my eyes are always open to different models”.

Again, as with Carol implying that although the type of model is constantly changing the influence of the theoretical models has an enduring influence upon psychotherapeutic practice choices.

Catherine also described using an integrative model of psychotherapeutic intervention. She described how her preference for which of the theoretical models she predominantly used had changed over her years of

practice, however her reference to their importance and influence was peppered across her transcript.

Georgina stated that she was initially interested in the psychodynamic model of intervention and wanted to be purist, but found that her personality pulled her another way. Georgina described having continued practicing using the psychodynamic model until she finished her first counselling qualification (marriage guidance) and then began to integrate some of the other models. She felt the choice to integrate psychotherapeutic models was as much to do with her personality as the client group she was working with. She stated that prior to attending the counselling psychology training course, which was integrative; she had already started to integrate some of the models. Georgina went on to describe the influence of the theoretical models to be as present in her current practice as it was when she was training, however the current variety of the theoretical models that influence her are wider than when she was training.

Helen said she was initially led to C.B.T. by her interest in the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – (O.C.D.), which is well-researched as responding best to cognitive-behavioural therapy (C.B.T.). However, she also has interests in psychoanalytic styles and since initial training has carried out further training, reading, and sought personal therapy with therapists working from differing theoretical models. Interestingly, whilst demonstrating a very current and long-standing deferment to theoretical models, Helen stated that models are only part of the story, adding the theoretical models are:

Helen: “… only as good as the therapist delivering them”.

Annie described having a strong affiliation with the Jungian model of intervention, however, added that she was not purist and rejects all the models in their purist form. Annie, like other participants, also believed that her choice to integrate the models had been a personal one. Annie added that all that she

has learnt about the models has been helpful, adding that for every therapy session, she takes all of her knowledge of each of the models into the therapy room with her.

Lucy reported that she was trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (C.B.T.), psychodynamic and person-centered and she likes Cognitive Analytical Therapy (C.A.T.), relational, existential, narrative and systemic. Adding, that she finds person-centered interesting. Lucy identified her choice of theoretical model was what aided her to understand the client before her. Like the other participants, Lucy believes that her favouring of an integrative model of psychotherapeutic intervention is about the client need and herself as a person.

Lucy: “They are good boundaries to have and use in my mind, but actually they’re just someone else’s theories...But by nature, I’m more of a magpie. I would never be purist in any form… I think my natural way is to take things from other areas…”

Lucy’s transcript supports the ever-present influence of the theoretical models and their influence upon her practice choices seem taken for granted.

Sonya stated that, historically, the psychotherapeutic models would have more heavily influenced her practice choices, but they remain influential in her current practice. She described having an interest in psychodynamic, object relations and systemic models of intervention. Sonya said her use of the psychotherapeutic models is of an integrative style. However, her liking of the systemic model was apparent and that this was based on an aspect of her personal view of the world. Adding that the systemic model was in-line with her own way of thinking. Therefore as others reported, Sonya described the models as ever-present influences to the choices made in her psychotherapeutic

practice. In addition, the choice of which of these models she refers to is influenced by her.

Sonya: (theory) “it’s just ingrained and maybe it suits my eclectic way of being to have a tool in my tool bag and I draw it out”

In summary, every interviewee credited the theoretical models as influencing their choices of psychotherapeutic intervention. By what the participants mentioned, it can be deduced that all of them use an eclectic/integrative approach. Whilst ascribing some of their choice to work from a variety of models, as being responsive to client needs, training and work experiences, they also ascribed their choice, as being significantly due to their own personalities and personal interests. In addition, all of the participants spoke of the influence of the theoretical models as being enduring and consistent, spanning from their early training to their current practice choices.