The category of Registered Counsellors was created to provide psychological service at primary level to previously disadvantaged communities, yet there is lack of public and professional knowledge concerning this category. This study aimed at finding reasons why people choose to become registered counsellors and what their relevance and future is in South Africa. Social constructionism is the epistemological framework for this qualitative investigation. Three registered counsellors aged between 27 and 31 were chosen for this study using a combination of purposive and snowball sample technique. Rich data were collected through open ended interviews. This approach was chosen as the most relevant because it helped in giving a voice to the three ‘registered counsellors’ which in turn helped in getting a holistic understanding of the participants’ point of view. Thematic analysis technique was used to identify key themes. The main themes identified in comparative analysis were the following: the need to help, feeling of fulfillment, working in a multidisciplinary team, registered counsellors as first point of entry, experiencing barriers in terms of lack of recognition, confusion between registered counsellors and other healthcare professionals; and the role of HPCSA. The results showed that the participants became registered counsellors because of the need to help others. The results also showed that registered counsellors are relevant in South Africa because their services are needed for the well-being of society. There is a future for registered counsellors in South Africa to close the gap in terms of mental health workforce shortage. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This qualitative study aimed to trace the psychotherapeutic development of clinical and counselling psychologists across the careerspan within the South African context. Through purposive sampling 34 psychologists were recruited according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Five distinct career levels were explored, namely, student (n=10), intern (n=7), early career (n=7), experienced (n=5), and senior (n=5) psychologists in relation to the Society of Psychotherapy Research’s international model of psychotherapist development. By means of semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, participants’ experiences were thematically analysed from over 600 pages of transcription. Additionally, the researcher’s personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Participants reflected on personal and familial wounding events that influenced them choosing a career as a psychologist; this awareness was gradual over their development. Across theoretical orientations, participants resisted adhering to one way of working in light of the diverse South African context. However, the need to limit the number of theoretical orientations taught within the first months of training was proposed. Professional sources of influence highlighted by participants were personal therapy and peer supervision or reading groups. Qualified professionals to a lesser extent made use of individual supervision which when pursued needed to be a ‘felt’ collaboration. Participants found as they developed they became more comfortable being a psychotherapist however the complexity of cases still kept them humble. Limitations of the study, potential future research directions as well as recommendations for practicing clinical and counselling psychology were outlined. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)