The Qualitative Analysis of Mental Health Professionals' Experiences in the Therapeutic Process

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of mental health professionals in the therapeutic process by considering demographic variables and educational processes. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview form including preliminary interview, rapport building, problem identification, goal setting, and intervention and termination steps of the therapeutic process was prepared in order to explore how mental health professionals conduct the therapeutic process. Run as a qualitative study, the phenomenologic research design was used.  The study group of the study was determined using criterion sampling technique which is one of the purposive sampling methods and consists of sixteen professionals (6 men, 10 women) providing professional mental health services. The study group consist of individuals working in governmental and private institutions, providing mental health services, having at least a master's degree in the field of mental health branches, or having received training in a therapy approach under supervision. Interview technique was used to collect data. In the analysis of data, frequency and sentence based content analysis techniques were used. As a result of the research, various themes experienced in each psychological counseling step were reached. These themes were named as client discovery, counseling process discovery, forming emotional bonds, using therapeutic skills, using therapeutic conditions, role of the counselor, counselor concern and client concern. In addition to these themes, themes, which are named as impaired autonomy, impaired boundaries, disobeying rules and perceptions of the counseling process, related to the differences and expectations in the therapeutic process specific to Turkish culture were explained.