Where is the therapist in the therapy?

This qualitative study uses thematic analysis to explore what eight experienced counselling psychologists believe influences their choice of psychotherapeutic interventions. Individual interviews were conducted with the resulting data analysed using thematic analysis. The process of thematic analysis was followed as outlined by Braun and Clarke, (2006). The themes and sub-themes were identified and a summary is captured in a final thematic map. The eight counselling psychologists all described there being an over-arching theme that contains three sub-themes that are enduring and consistent core influences to their psychotherapeutic practice: the psychotherapeutic theoretical models, the client and the therapeutic relationship. With these as the ever-present cornerstones influencing their practice choices, the participants also identified influences that are captured under the theme of them being interchangeable in their strength of influence. These sub-themes are listed in order of their strength of influence: personal aspects of the therapist, professional aspects of the therapist and external factors. The exploration concludes with a discussion of how this information is of theoretical worth, whilst providing helpful insights that can inform counselling psychology practice. There is a critique of this study and suggested avenues for future research