Master of Arts (Counselling & Guidance)

Using qualitative methods, this study examined the personal characteristics, developmental influences, and therapy practices of five peer nominated psychotherapists practising with youth offenders, in particular the incarcerated youth population in Singapore. The study was carried out by conducting face-to-face interviews with the identified participants, of which they had to respond to 18 open-ended questions designed to highlight the personal characteristics and therapy practices of Singaporean therapists working with incarcerated youth. Common characteristics among these therapists were identified primarily through thematic analysis. Fourteen themes were organized into three categories: (a) Developmental influences (accumulated experiences; commitment to professional and personal development; humility; self-awareness and self-reflexivity); (b) Personal characteristics (compassion and calling; therapist psychological maturity, emotional well-being and self-care; belief in client’s ability to change; congruence); and (c) Approach to practice (primacy of therapeutic alliance; being intentional in the counselling process; use of self in therapy; strengths-focused/empowerment approach; use of complex and multiple criteria in judging therapy outcomes; being open and non-judgmental). The practical implications of the findings might inform future decisions regarding training and recruitment of staff working with incarcerated youth.