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The Necessity and Originality of the research

As psychotherapists, inquiring our practice and in order to develop praxis, we found it crucial to investigate the nature of practice development in different frameworks and the scope and variety of training programmes. The understandings of this investigation in a qualitative design of an apprenticeship framework, using grounded theory and action research, had identified the need to expand the scope and to develop a knowledge transformation model, which will provide the best possible conditions to enable psychotherapeutic practical knowledge transformation. This need led us to engage in a professional doctoral research process, with a purpose to produce a practical knowledge development framework.

Engaging grounded theory methodological approach, and employing an action research philosophy for an educational inquiry, we extracted the tacit knowledge embedded in Ofer's practice.  Ofer was and still is my professional teacher,  is a psychotherapist with extensive practical experience. Through reflective analysis of his work, in democratic discussions with me as a trainee practitioner, we constructed the understandings of the information interpretation into a practical model which is transferable to other professionals. The outcome of this process produced three training programmes, which are being taught in Israel. Anat

Originality (Anat)

The practice of psychotherapy emphasises the crucial importance of continuing professional development. As therapists, we invested in the process of active learning via courses, and seminars throughout our career, we engage in clinical seminars and group peer meetings, as one of the routes to gain updated approaches and new techniques, which are always provided by the macro professional community.   

We are encouraged to engage in a personal therapy process as part of our personal and professional development, and we use peer consultations with colleagues in order to enlarge the scope of our understanding of the complexity of human psyche. The common therapeutic approach agreed by the professionals from different theoretical stances, and with no regard to the differences, is the importance of professional supervision in the process of professional development of the therapist. Moreover, In some therapeutic approaches, it is an ethical obligation to use professional supervision while practising the profession.

The value of the process is multi-layered and will be elaborated in the research.

The originality and the main contribution of the research we engaged in, is in the elevation of the classical supervision process in practice of psychotherapy, into a methodological inquiry and research methodology which created a learning and development process for both parts of the professional dyad.

Moreover,  the research identified the conditions in which a unique style of professional learning and development can be created. This model of knowledge development by transformation, in a dyad, was also applied to a group professional learning in a training programme and received meaningful student feedback.

Originality (Ofer)

Psychotherapists often use supervision and group clinical seminars to discuss their cases together for bilateral feedback on their work. We extrapolated this traditional approach to psychotherapeutic practise using supervision, into a research methodology. We are aware of the fact that such a framework has never been used in doctoral research in Israel and the world. Moreover, the creation of a level 8 knowledge framework for Professional practice research in general, and the new methodology fulfils the demand for innovation in doctoral research.

The collaborative creation of a knowledge transformation site has been illustrated by us, to be a way to ensure ongoing learning, development and reflection during and after the training, for both the practitioners and researchers. It can also be useful to other practitioners for research, practice, and training. Feedback from other practitioners and trainees can be included on the site and is a valuable contribution to the knowledge development site.

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