Psychotherapists in full-time, long-term private practice face a variety of occupational demands. They usually maintain private practices for long periods of their lives often under difficult circumstances and emotional pressures and have come to sustain their practices. From literature it is revealed that various demands, as well as benefits and successes are part and parcel of working in private practice full-time. These various factors can have an impact on the well-being of psychotherapists. Apart from the literature review, the personal experience of the researcher, a psychotherapist in full-time private practice, also contributed to ideas and hypotheses about the study. From a position of exploration and further enquiry, the researcher was interested to explore the experiences of psychotherapists in full-time private practice from a fortigenic perspective. A second objective was to determine if this study could contribute to the development of the theoretical assumptions of positive psychology. The research is grounded in the theoretical perspective of positive psychology and fortigenesis. Both these fields are relatively new in psychology and seem to still be forging a niche within the discipline. This perspective was deliberately chosen due to the applicability to the exploration of strengths and vigour, with regards to the maintenance of the professional context of the psychotherapist. The qualitative research process is presented in a narrative approach by means of narrative synthesis and synergy. The findings of the research conversations are presented in the form of a literary short story. Suggestions are made about the fortigenic qualities of psychotherapists essential for maintaining their work in full-time private practice. It’s applicability and usefulness is discussed. Furthermore, suggestions are made with regards to the field of positive psychology and the way forward for this sub-discipline. Ideas relating to narrative research and qualitative research are also discussed. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare auto-immune inflammatory disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks their spinal cord resulting in an unpredictable degree of neurologic disability, ranging from complete recovery to quadriplegia. TM patients often experience insufficient assistance towards understanding causes of the illness and have little to depend on in trying to deal with it. This study explores psychological strengths and coping strategies used by TM patients in coping with the illness. A theoretical framework of positive psychology with a strong focus on seven constructs, namely positive coping, searching for meaning, benefit finding, hope, sense of humour, resilience, as well as religion and spirituality is presented. The main data collection strategy for this study was the gathering of stories as a form of conversation. These were subjected to thematic analysis by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) focused on identifiable themes and patterns of living and behaviour. The emerging patterns and identified fortigenic qualities were then considered, analysed and argued in relation to corresponding coping strategies. A model for the psychological coping and well-being of TM patients, based on emphasising the positive and constructive and considering existing models and strategies for the well-being of patients, was developed. The strategic and therapeutic model is presented in easily understandable language for the benefit of any care-giver (e.g. family member, friend or nurse) or the patient him/herself. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2013 / Psychology / unrestricted