Who and how conducts psychotherapy in Poland. Part II. Results from a nationwide survey
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The first part of the article presented an overview of research projects focused on psychotherapy in Poland. The second part demonstrates results of a study conducted amongst Polish psychotherapists in 2012.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1196 persons conducting psychotherapy in Poland fully completed a nationwide online survey (or, alternatively, a paper and pencil enquiry) concerning their education, training, experience, and clinical work. The results are compared with findings of similar studies from other countries.
RESULTS: Among the primary findings were: (1) psychotherapy in Poland is conducted mostly by women (80%); (2) almost all therapists have an MA degree, including 75.2% having graduated in psychology; (3) the psychotherapists are well trained (mean number of training hours is above 942) and established (average experience is about 9.8 years); (4) more than half of the therapists have no type of certificate; (5) 54% of respondents identify with the integrative or eclectic orientation and, simultaneously, for 48.6% of the therapists the most important approach is either psychodynamic or psychoanalytic; (6) the most common form of therapy is individual psychotherapy in private practice; (7) the majority of the therapists treat adult patients with anxiety or personality disorders.
CONCLUSIONS: The results show that psychotherapeutic practice is well established in Poland and many indices are similar to those found in Western countries.
Keywords: psychotherapistspsychotherapyPolandprofessional practicetheoretical orientationnationwide survey
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