Qualification means you’ve arrived … or does it?

I remember graduating from my training and being able to call myself a Psychotherapist. I was a weird mix of over- and under-confident. My training had been superb, and I trusted it and the tutors who delivered it. I was already working in private practice, and it was going well. But suddenly I was out there alone. One-to-one supervision remained, and continues to remain, very important, but the pull to be part of something bigger, to continue learning and evolving was immense.

I also thought I understood myself pretty well when I qualified. Afterall, I’d been journaling, going to personal therapy, spent plenty of time in the training process group and received lots of peer-to-peer feedback.

My response was to dive into CPD. I created a peer supervision group and immersed myself in training courses. There’s no doubt, this approach was expensive! But perhaps the most valuable step was to join a well-held process group. A process group offers an almost unique opportunity for personal development. I learnt a lot at the time and since, as I have reflected on how I was in the group. For me, being in the group meant I was part of something bigger. The two people who ran it provided safety and continuity, and I was able to share with colleagues. Perhaps the most significant thing I have learnt is there is no end point. There is no arrival.

This is why at PHYSIS we are running a process group in Kenilworth in September and October this year. We are recruiting members now so get in touch if you would like to know more.