A hermeneutic-phenomenological investigation of psychotherapist disillusionment

The purpose of this study was to discover a thematic description of the experience of disillusionment among psychotherapists. A hermeneutic-phenomenological method was utilized to analyze the interview transcripts of eight participants. Analysis of the data produced a group of themes that composed the meaning-structure of the participants' experience of disillusionment. Disillusionment was found to be the experience of discrepancy between one's expectations or ideals, and the reality one encounters. Thisdiscrepancy was experienced in relation to: 1) one's search for meaning in the profession of psychotherapy; 2) one's identity as a psychotherapist; and 3) one's relationships with others. These themes emerged out of the grounds of Self, Other, and Social World.Results were discussed in relation to existing literature concerning disillusionment.Suggestions for future research concerning disillusionment were considered. Implications for therapist training, and therapist empowerment were also discussed.