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Personal Psychotherapy During Residency Training: A Survey of Psychiatric Residents

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Abstract

Objective

The authors investigate current psychiatric residents’ experiences with and opinions about personal psychotherapy.

Methods

The authors analyzed survey data from randomly selected students in psychiatric residency training programs during the 2005–2006 academic year.

Results

Approximately one-third of respondents were in psychotherapy. Being in a training program affiliated with a psychoanalytic institute and being further along in training were associated with a greater likelihood of being in therapy. Residents identified financial cost and training demands as the top barriers to pursuing psychotherapy. Psychodynamic psychotherapy was by far the most common type; few residents received cognitive behavior therapy.

Conclusion

A significant minority of psychiatric residents pursue personal psychotherapy, primarily psychodynamic. This number appears to be much smaller than in the past.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

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Correspondence to Jennifer Lynn Haak M.D..

Additional information

At the time of submission, the authors disclosed no competing interests.

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Haak, J.L., Kaye, D. Personal Psychotherapy During Residency Training: A Survey of Psychiatric Residents. Acad Psychiatry 33, 323–326 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.4.323

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.4.323

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