A Qualitative Study on the Composition of the Self of the Therapist: Focusing on narrative therapist

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the composition and essential meaning of the ‘self of the therapist,’ which therapists consciously and purposefully utilize within therapeutic relationships. Methods: To achieve this objective, data from in-depth interviews with eight professional narrative therapists were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological research method to systematically explore the composition of the therapist’s self. Results: The analysis revealed that the “Self-of-the-Therapist (SOT)” in narrative therapy consists of 35 meaning units, five sub-components, and one primary component. For narrative therapists, the “Self-of-the-Therapist” is comprised of professional competence, attitudes aligned with the fundamental philosophy of the therapist and the therapeutic model, therapist characteristics, and the therapist’s life experiences. Therapists employ this self as a therapeutic tool by consciously reflecting on it according to the therapeutic context. Conclusions: The findings of this study have significance in that they reveal the core factors of the therapist’s self as a therapeutic tool, providing insights into key elements for marital and family therapists and suggesting directions for therapist education.