Abstract
This study explored the lived experiences of self-care amongst South African psychologists working in private practice. The primary purpose of this study was to determine what experiences psychologists working in private practice have with self-care. Moreover, this study attempted to explore the experiential impact of self-care in the lives of private practice psychologists. This study took a phenomenological approach within the broader qualitative paradigm. Through use of purposive sampling, six qualified psychologists with a minimum of 3-years-experience in providing psychotherapy in private practice were interviewed. Semi-structured interview schedule was used. Transcripts of interviews were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) with hopes of uncovering a deeper understanding of self-care experiences amongst these professionals. The results revealed seven interrelated master themes: (1) contextualisation of self-care in South Africa (SA), (2) personal conceptualisation of self-care, (3) consequences of neglecting self-care, (4) nature of working in psychology, (5) maintaining work-life balance, (6) significance and impact of self-care and (7) development of self-care over career span. Participant’s experiential accounts were largely verified by existing data. All participants valued self-care as means to maintain their wellbeing. Similarly, participants focused on both the impact of self-care as well as the activity of self-care. The importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional responsibilities were a key feature in their experiences. Consequences of neglecting self-care resemble findings in existing burnout literature. Consensus regarding the impact of self-care and ability to provide effective therapeutic services were reported by all participants.
M.A. (Counselling Psychology)