An autoethnographic study into mindfulness meditation and the impact on psychotherapy training
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study uses the method of autoethnography to investigate the journeys and experiences of trainee psychological therapists in their discovery of mindfulness meditation and how it impacts on their psychotherapy training.Autoethnography is a narrative form of inquiry that seeks to tell the personal stories about people's lives, their 'lived experience' within relative contexts, in a meaningful and creative way.It connects the personal to the wider cultural and social, and its meanings and understandings.My aim in this research is to convey a personal and candid piece of writing, which enhances and increases cultural and psychological understanding of self and others within the context of mindfulness meditation practice and psychotherapy training.I offer narratives that consist of embodied, vulnerable and evocative stories, which convey the challenges, vicissitude and revelations of the trainees on their significant life journeys.Semi-structured indepth interviews were conducted with four therapists who are regular practitioners of mindfulness meditation (Vipassana).Narrative analysis of the stories, common themes and recurring patterns across the transcripts and stories were performed.Some of the reasons for undertaking mindfulness meditation included a desire or a curiosity to discover their self, to connect at a deeper level and to gain better insight into their whole being.The roots of interest and desire could be traced back to the trainees' cultural values and personal context where there were elements of disconnection and isolation from a community they belonged to, and a search for meaning and identity.This research may help in contributing narrative knowledge that can enhance the teaching, training and practice of counselling and psychotherapy.The creation of opportunities for public and professional dialogue around the experience of mindfulness meditation and cultivating compassion could serve to promote therapist wellbeing, training and clinical practice.
Author: Clarissa Bartlett
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W859471375