Personality and motivations of Maltese clinical and counselling psychologists : the darker side

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to explore the personality traits and motivations of Maltese clinical and counselling psychologists, from the perspectives of their colleagues. Five clinical and five counselling psychologists were interviewed by means of the Repertory Grid Technique and data was analysed according to Repertory Grid procedures. Findings suggest that besides altruistic motives to pursue the profession, psychologists are also driven by 鈥渄arker鈥� motivators which have been under-researched so far. These include power, financial gain and the need for self-affirmation. Additionally, results underscore the existence of traits which could potentially interfere with the outcome of psychotherapy, such as unethical attitudes and behaviours, an inflated sense of self, and difficulties with empathy. These findings have pragmatic value in that they can inform reflective practice and render clinical and counselling psychologists aware of their less desirable personality traits and motivations for practicing the profession. This could prove useful both when prospective psychologists are considering entry into the profession, and to inform the personal psychotherapy and supervision of existing psychologists. The results therefore have implications for the selection, training and supervision of clinical and counselling psychologists.