The Path to lifelong competence & expertise for a Psychotherapist begins with lifelong learning and continuing education?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate cognitive & behavioral psychotherapists' experience of the impact of lifelong learning on professional development during training, focusing on the acquisition of knowledge and the development of psychotherapeutic skills. Experienced cognitive and behavioral psychotherapists working in training institutions for psychotherapists were selected (N=5 & N=5 respectively) and content & narrative analysis was conducted on interviews with them. The results indicated that curiosity and awareness of lifelong learning was experienced as having a positive impact on learning and the development of professional skills by facilitating the development of theory- and knowledge-based professional subjectivity, a personally grounded, professional attitude. Important elements of this development are "shared experience," "personal influence," and "knowledge integration." Curiosity and awareness of lifelong learning proved to be an important factor in terms of professional advancement for future psychotherapists. It was important for psychotherapists working in clinical work to discover and relate to their own competencies in the process of developing a personally grounded, professional attitude.