Professional Experiences of Pakistani Psychotherapists: Awol of Regulatory Body

Abstract

The current research study was aimed at interpreting the professional experiences of the Psychotherapists practicing in Pakistan in the absence of regulatory body by using semistructured interview guide reviewed by experts. 08 practicing psychologists age range (M= 38.38, SD=7.945) were interviewed from different cities of Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar & Karachi were conducted online via zoom. The data was then analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) steps to understand the content. The major identified themes from this study were Need for Legalized Authority Development, Lack of Governmental support, Challenges faced by psychotherapists, Utilization of Resources, cultural reservation and communal constraint. The findings of the present study provide distinctive addition into the scientific understanding by exploring the experiences of Pakistani Psychotherapists and contributing to our existing knowledge of the need for the development of a regulatory body for Psychology community. This study will also help in clinical setting to spread awareness regarding the importance of a regulatory body and will inculcate the need of the establishment of authority to protect one’s right and secure future as a professional globally. That will also help in integrating the mutual interests of a mental health professionals especially psychologists and psychotherapists and the unity of the professionals will make a remarkable contribution.