​​​​

​

Amanda G. Thompson

 

Department of Clinical Psychology, Notre Dame de Namur University

 

CPY 4432 – 03: Clinical Case Seminar II

​

April 2024

​

(modified for accuracy and public access: April 2025)​

​

 

Introduction

 

Finding my voice as a psychotherapist has evolved through a deeply personal journey of navigating life’s challenges, deepening self-awareness, and continuous introspection. Shaped by experiences of emotional hardship, personal loss, survival, and the support of friends and family, this journey has cultivated a broader understanding of resilience, healing, and the therapeutic process. As my training progresses, I am discovering which therapeutic approaches resonate both with my clients' needs and with my own style as a clinician.

​

My evolving approach to therapy is gradually taking shape around depth work, relational connection, and adaptability across different contexts. This corresponds with what Orlinsky and Rønnestad (2005) describe as therapist development: a lifelong process rather than a fixed destination. I see my own process reflected in their words, combining various influences while staying open to refinement and growth.

 

Guiding Models and Theoretical Influences

 

My developing therapeutic style draws from multiple clinical models, primarily blending relational psychodynamic and humanistic elements, emphasizing self-exploration, emotional depth, and interpersonal patterns. This integration allows me to address the complicated and multifaceted nature of psychological struggles while honoring each client's distinctive narrative, cultural context, and readiness for change. I believe strongly in the healing potential of the therapeutic relationship and the emotional processes that emerge during treatment. This integrative method enables me to tailor therapy to each person's unique situation. As Yalom (2002) notes, "a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story," a perspective that reflects my approach of adapting therapeutic methods to fit the individual's circumstances rather than forcing clients to conform to rigid treatment structures.
 

I naturally gravitate toward and ground my work in Rogers' (1961) person-centered philosophy, centering on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space through empathy, authenticity, and acceptance. In my clinical work, I've found that when clients feel truly accepted without judgment, they become more willing to examine difficult experiences and naturally begin moving toward growth and self-discovery.
 

Jung's concept of the 'wounded healer' also influences my perspective on therapeutic work. This archetype suggests that a therapist's personal struggles, when consciously integrated, can transform into sources of deeper compassion and understanding for clients (Jung, 1951). This viewpoint acknowledges that our own healing journeys can enhance our capacity to support others, provided we maintain appropriate self-awareness and boundaries.
 

My foundation in relational and humanistic therapy is complemented by structured interventions from other evidence-based models when clinically indicated. I incorporate CBT worksheets and tools, as well as DBT skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, particularly when addressing anxiety and depression symptoms (Beck, 2020; Linehan, 2014). These tools support the therapeutic relationship without taking away from its central role, a component consistently confirmed by research as essential for successful outcomes (Lambert & Barley, 2001).
 

My approach additionally incorporates trauma-informed and somatically attuned elements—including grounding techniques, regulation skills, and nervous system awareness. I'm also drawn to creative and expressive modalities, such as art-based and experiential interventions. These methods create avenues for emotional expression and processing beyond traditional talk therapy, while also strengthening therapeutic rapport and engagement.

Ethical Foundations and Treatment Values

​

Throughout my clinical work, I've identified core values that remain constant across different therapeutic approaches:
 

From both my academic training and direct experience with clients, I've come to recognize the therapeutic relationship as the most instrumental means for personal growth—a well-documented perspective showing that relationship factors account for approximately 30% of outcome variance, substantially exceeding the contribution of specific techniques (Lambert & Barley, 2001). This relational emphasis aligns with my natural inclination toward depth-oriented work and emotional awareness. In my experience, building a genuine connection with clients tends to support symptom relief over time, made possible by the emotional safety and continuity of the therapeutic relationship. Beyond surface symptoms, I aim to facilitate greater emotional insight and pattern recognition by attending to immediate feelings and creating space for clients to access deeper awareness into their experience, which Schore (2019) describes as "right-brain to right-brain attunement" between therapist and client. The hope is that deeper processing leads to more lasting change than symptom management alone.
 

Client empowerment is another central theme to my work—I strive to create an environment where clients feel agency over their healing journey. My work with adolescent populations in educational settings has demonstrated that collaborative treatment planning with the client can greatly impact their engagement and outcomes. My practice is equally guided by a commitment to understanding and honoring clients' cultural experiences and identities, particularly given my extensive work with Latine clients. I have learned to modify standard therapeutic approaches based on cultural frameworks, encouraging more authentic, collaborative relationships and building greater trust and connection.

Developmental Trajectory as a Therapist

​

My educational background in psychology provided a strong theoretical foundation, though discovering my therapeutic identity has been a slower process. Early on in NDNU's MSCP program, I felt uncertain about which modality best aligned with my natural strengths. When I asked faculty for guidance, I was told I could work within any modality, though this ultimately left me seeking more specific guidance.
 

My first clinical placement taught me more than I expected. With structured supervision and a supportive training environment, I developed clinical skills over time. I was encouraged when people outside of therapy settings recognized my therapeutic questioning style. Several people remarked that they could tell I was a therapist by the questions I asked and how I asked them. These comments reinforced my developing professional identity.
 

Returning in 2023, I embraced theoretical exploration with an increased openness and trust in myself, allowing my clinical style to evolve more organically. The lack of consistent supervision in my later practicum placements pushed me to cultivate self-direction in my clinical work. I turned to personal therapy as an additional resource for processing countertransference and reflecting on client dynamics.
 

Despite the limited supervisor engagement, I sought to provide as much quality care to my clients as possible, while developing my approach through hands-on experience. Through practice and reflection, I've recognized my innate clinical abilities: building meaningful connections, resonating with clients' emotional experiences, approaching challenges with creativity, and maintaining a deeply accepting presence. I've noticed that I'm particularly effective at building rapport with quieter clients who have had difficulty engaging with other therapists in the past.
 

Working outside the mental health field helped expand my adaptability and taught me valuable skills in unexpected ways. My time in these roles also taught me how much a workplace's values matter to my job satisfaction. I noticed that when leaders genuinely cared about staff wellbeing, the work environment was much better than in places where leadership practices didn't reflect the same care for staff. This professional exploration highlighted what I most valued about therapeutic practice: meaningful human connection and the opportunity to support others' growth and development.

 

Clinical Practice Challenges and Growth Opportunities

 

My development as a therapist involves navigating the balance between authentic emotional presence and appropriate professional boundaries. This challenge is particularly significant given my relational, depth-oriented approach, where genuine connection serves as a primary healing tool. I continue to refine how I offer the warmth and attunement that define my clinical style, while maintaining the boundaries that make therapy both safe and effective. I don’t see this as a limitation, rather, I view it as an essential dimension of my ongoing professional development.
 

Working with clients who have experienced relational trauma in particular creates potential countertransference challenges. Through personal therapy and self-reflection, I've learned to recognize when my own responses might shift focus away from the client's unique experience. Hayes, Gelso, and Hummel (2011) describe countertransference as inevitable but potentially useful when therapists develop awareness of their reactions. Rather than trying to eliminate these responses, I work to understand them as information about the therapeutic process, turning potential challenges into opportunities for deeper connection.
 

I've also encountered ethical tensions between institutional policies and client needs. In one instance at a practicum site, a situation arose involving a client with significant depression and suicidal ideation whose family discontinued treatment against clinical recommendations. The focus on documentation for liability protection rather than continued advocacy for the client's wellbeing created a professional dilemma. This experience showed me the difficult realities therapists face when balancing institutional requirements with ethical obligations to clients.

Professional Aspirations and Developmental Goals

​

My therapeutic approach will undoubtedly transform with additional clinical experience and education, though I'm committed to preserving the relational foundation that feels most true to my practice.
 

One area that continues to draw my professional interest is psychological assessment. The structured yet personal nature of conducting thorough assessments appeals to my combined interests in data analysis and human connection. This work feels like a natural fit, allowing me to draw on my experience with data and pattern recognition while deepening my clinical skills. I also see the value in how assessment can enhance therapeutic interventions.
 

Trauma-informed care remains central to my clinical interest and development. I've been particularly influenced by van der Kolk's (2014) exploration of how trauma manifests in the body and plan to build my competence with somatic approaches to enhance my effectiveness with trauma survivors. These methods would expand on my existing knowledge of grounding tools and nervous system regulation.
 

Additionally, my ongoing development includes broadening my understanding of cultural factors in psychological functioning and therapeutic relationships. Working primarily with Latine clients has highlighted the importance of cultural responsiveness in clinical practice. It is well-known and my own experience has shown me that cultural humility is essential for creating the trust and understanding needed when working with clients from diverse backgrounds.
 

As my identity as a therapist continues to develop, I expect to maintain an integrative, flexible approach while deepening my expertise in the modalities that best complement my clinical style. This combination of adaptability with a strong relational foundation reflects my natural therapeutic orientation, one I anticipate will grow more refined and intentional as I gain experience.

 

Conclusion

 

As I gain more experience, my therapeutic identity continues taking shape. My natural style emphasizes depth and genuine connection, with flexibility to meet different client needs. I tend to combine relational psychodynamic and humanistic perspectives, incorporate creative and trauma-informed techniques, and draw from evidence-based approaches when they serve my clients well.
 

Even as my specific techniques and theories continue to develop, I hold onto my core values: the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the value of emotional depth, the need to tailor approaches to each person, and staying culturally aware. These fundamental beliefs guide my work regardless of which techniques I'm learning.
 

Rogers' insights continue to guide my approach to both therapy and my own development. As he observed, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change" (Rogers, 1961, p. 17). This principle applies equally to clients and therapists. I'm learning to extend the same acceptance and gentleness to myself that I offer to clients, recognizing that self-care is not optional but essential for therapists. Rogers also noted that "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change" (Rogers, 1961, p. 297). This quote captures my belief that to live fully, one must embrace continuous learning and change—a principle that applies not just to my clients but to me as a person and a therapist. Through continuing education, supervision, self-reflection, and deliberate self-care practices, I'm working to refine my approach while bringing genuine compassion, creativity, and authenticity to each therapeutic relationship—including the relationship with myself.
 

While I remain open to various career paths within psychology, I have found that certain aspects of clinical work particularly resonate with my natural abilities and interests. The validation I've received about my therapeutic questioning style and my ability to connect with clients who struggle to engage with others suggests that these relational aspects of therapy connect with my genuine self. Whether my future involves psychotherapy practice, psychological assessment, or other mental health roles, these core strengths will likely continue to guide my professional development. I look forward to continuing this path with openness, care, and a deep respect for those I support.​

​

​

References

​

Beck, J. S. (2020). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

 

Hayes, J. A., Gelso, C. J., & Hummel, A. M. (2011). Managing countertransference. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 88–97. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022182

 

Jung, C. G. (1951). Fundamental questions of psychotherapy (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton University Press.

 

Lambert, M. J., & Barley, D. E. (2001). Research summary on the therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy outcome. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38(4), 357–361. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.38.4.357

 

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

 

Orlinsky, D. E., & Rønnestad, M. H. (2005). How psychotherapists develop: A study of therapeutic work and professional growth. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/11157-000

 

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.

 

Schore, A. N. (2019). The development of the unconscious mind. W. W. Norton & Company.

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

 

Yalom, I. D. (2002). The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients. Harper Perennial.