Citation

Murray-Swank AB. J. Psychother. Integr. 2019; 29(2): 188-196.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Educational Publishing Foundation)

DOI

10.1037/int0000147

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Limited research has addressed the impact of personal loss on psychotherapists' practice and professional identities. The goal of this article is to share a first-person account of my experience after losing a family member to suicide, focusing particularly on ways in which this loss impacted my professional identity and practice as a psychotherapist. Three primary themes are discussed, including (a) the challenges of integrating this personal experience into my professional identity; (b) my enhanced awareness of traditional masculine gender roles in psychotherapy; and (c) processes related to the experience of self-compassion and how this has impacted my practice of psychotherapy. These themes are discussed in the context of my professional development and transformation as a psychotherapist following this loss. © 2019 American Psychological Association.

Language: en

Keywords

masculinity; human; suicide; Suicide; psychotherapy; bereavement; self concept; sex role; clinical psychology; psychotherapist; Article; personal experience; acceptance and commitment therapy; professional development; Family member suicide survivor; Masculinity and suicide; Self-compassion in psychotherapy