Great expectations: Mistaken beliefs of beginning psychodynamic psychotherapists

Beginning psychotherapists often have mistaken assumptions about what it is that constitutes good psychotherapy and a good psychotherapist. These mist aken beliefs are counterproductive and may inhibit the development of appro priate psychotherapeutic skills as well as delay, or even prevent, the acqu isition dan appropriate identity as a psychotherapist. This paper explores six common mistaken beliefs on the part of neophyte psychotherapists, provi ding a basis for exploration and discussion of key developmental issues in the genesis of a competent psychotherapist.