What is recovery? Views of psychologists in private practice

ABSTRACT Objective Personal recovery is a concept that emphasises an individual’s unique process of achieving a meaningful and fulfilling life, even if mental illness symptoms are ongoing. This is in contrast to clinical perspectives that focus on reducing or eliminating symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine private practice psychologists’ perceptions of recovery in the context of mental illness. Method Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight psychologists who worked in private practice in Victoria, Australia. Analysis was conducted with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Six of the eight participants were not familiar with frameworks of recovery. Instead, their views had largely been shaped by interactions with clients. There was a view that clients undertake a unique journey towards greater functioning and reflective awareness. Symptom reduction was also considered part of this journey. The therapeutic relationship with clients was viewed as crucial to recovery. Discussion Efforts are needed to educate mental health practitioners working in private practice about recovery. Mechanisms to achieve this could be the inclusion of recovery frameworks in pre-registration courses, directing recovery-focused training and resources towards the private practice sector and establishing explicit links between recovery and commonly employed therapeutic interventions.