‘An Exploration of Self (to Other and to Self) Through Therapist–Client Interactions’: Trainee CAT Practitioners' Reflections on Personal Therapy During Training

ABSTRACT Objective Personal therapy (PT) is a key component in many psychotherapy training models, with the intention of enhancing self‐awareness and therapeutic skills. This study examines the experiences of trainee cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) practitioners who participate in PT and understand how it influences personal and professional dimensions. Methods By exploring the trainees' experiences, the study aimed to understand PT's role in CAT training and its impact on their development as therapists, aligning with CAT's focus on meaning‐making through reflective dialogue. Seven trainee CAT therapists who had completed their PT participated in semi‐structured interviews, centred on the logistics and experiences of PT rather than therapy content. The interviews were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Results Analysis revealed four key themes: ‘Dilemma—I have to, or I want to’, ‘Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Show me the Right One’, ‘Sailing Through the Sea—Dynamics of Process’, and ‘Reflections’. Findings suggest that PT served as an emotive and transformative learning opportunity, promoting insights into the self (both self‐to‐other and self‐to‐self relationships), relational dynamics, the client experience and clinical practice. Conclusion Participants reported that while financial, geographical and personal factors influenced their therapist selection, these initial considerations had minimal impact on the overall experience or perceived therapeutic benefit. This captured the broad positive experiences of trainee CAT practitioners, highlighting PT's critical role in professional development. Considerations are given to the importance of PT developing reflective and relational skills essential for CAT practice. Future studies should consider researching elements of diversity, such as culture, ethnicity and gender, to understand its impact on clinical work.