Conversações com psicólogas clínicas sobre resiliência profissional

Abstract

Considering the social importance of clinical work by professional psychologists, the present study pretended to research factors of protection that lead to manage and overcome risk factors and professional difficulties that are inherent in this professional category. Twenty female psychologists participated in this study. They belonged to different approaches. Each of them was interviewed, with the intention to identify protective factors that help them to overcome difficulties and cope with adverse moments during treatment sessions. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and used for inductive qualitative exploration according to the principles of Grounded Theory and within a contextualist frame. The contents of the collected information were submitted to analytic, open coding and subsequent construction of categories. They were also compared with the literature on relevant topics. The results suggest the existence of a broad variety of factors that enhance the therapists professional resilience. These include: attitudes (and characteristics) of the therapist in her work, acquired wisdom and experience, personal strengths, personal self-care, intellectual training (and knowledge), professional guidance (including supervision) and social support. The participants felt these factors to protect both their professional effectiveness and their personal well-being against deleterious effects of adversities at the job.