Impacto do exercício de psicoterapia nos psicoterapeutas

 

Eugénia Fernandes (*)

Ângela da Costa Maia (*)

 

RESUMO

Neste artigo, as autoras debatem os custos e benefícios do exercício da psicoterapia no próprio psicoterapeuta. Começam por assumir os benefícios da psicoterapia para o cliente, fundamentando o impacto positivo que falar sobre as experiências emocionalmente difíceis ou potencialmente traumáticas pode ter no seu crescimento e mudança. Por outro lado, não esquecendo o carácter relacional da psicoterapia, as autoras debatem o impacto negativo que o acto clínico de escutar relatos terríveis e/ou presenciar a expressão do sofrimento, pode ter no próprio terapeuta. Assumindo o carácter de risco que representa a profissão de psicoterapeuta, mas notando a resiliência de muitos terapeutas, as autoras discutem o outro lado da questão, sublinhando a oportunidade de crescimento e desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional que esta actividade também pode oferecer. Por fim, sugerem um conjunto de cuidados aos terapeutas, a ter em consideração consigo próprios, para prevenir os riscos e potenciar os benefícios do exercício da psicoterapia.

Palavras-chave: Psicoterapeuta, trauma vicariante, crescimento, auto-cuidado.

 

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the authors discuss therapist’s costs and benefits from to practice psychotherapy. Assuming the benefits of psychotherapy for clients, they justify the positive impact of talk about emotional hard full or potentially traumatic experiences on their growth and change. Nevertheless, not forgetting the relational character of psychotherapy, the authors discuss the negative impact that the clinical act of listen hard narrations and/or to witness the client’s suffering, can have on the therapist him self. Assuming psychotherapy as a risk job, but looking at resilient psychotherapists, the authors discuss the others side of question, and underline psychotherapy as an opportunity for personal growth and professional development. Finally they suggest some kinds of self-care indications for therapists, in order to prevent risks and to increased benefits from psychotherapy practice.

Key words: Psychotherapist, vicarious trauma, growth, self-care.

 

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(*) Departamento de Psicologia, Instituto de Educação e Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal. E-mail (da primeira autora): eugeniaf@iep.uminho.pt