Psychiatric Bulletin (2009) 33: 433-436. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.023440
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Education & Training

Personal psychotherapy in psychiatric training: study of four London training schemes

Deborah Dover, Specialist Registrar in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

*Child and Family Department, Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA, email: deborah.dover{at}gmail.com

Ed Beveridge, Consultant Psychiatrist

St Charles Hospital, London

Gerry Leavey

Research and Development Department, St Ann’s Hospital, London

Michael King

Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, UK

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

We carried out a web-based survey to establish the proportion of London psychiatry senior house officers who undertake personal psychotherapy. Demographics, training characteristics and psychotherapy experience were examined using descriptive statistics. Predictors of personal psychotherapy status were examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The majority of trainees who undertook personal psychotherapy included training as a reason for doing so. Of the participants,16% had undergone personal psychotherapy and of the remainder, 73% reported that they would consider it in the future. Ethnicity was the only predictor of psychotherapy status, with White British trainees nearly four times more likely to pursue it.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Personal psychotherapy appeared to have relevance to training from both a pastoral and a learning perspective. If training schemes wish to support this practice they will need to address difficulties trainees may face in accessing therapy. Trainees might also be encouraged to think about the effect of cultural factors on their attitudes towards psychological therapies.