[Between growth and isolation--the influence of therapy on the experience and the personality of therapists]

Abstract

In an online-survey 152 psychotherapists were asked about their subjectively perceived effects of therapeutic practice on personality and experience in private context. Changes were retrospectively measured by changes in subscales of NEO-FFI and BIP and a newly developed scale. The changes were tested for significance and influences by demographic factors. Compared to the beginning of their professional careers therapists perceived significant increases in agree-ableness, openness, self-confidence and sensitivity, and significant decreases in neuroticism and social isolation. Changes in extraversion were not significant. Demographic factors did not show any significant influence on the perceived changes. Therapeutic practice therefore seems to have a positive influence on the perceived development of personality in psychotherapists by their professional practice.