Aspects of the Early Life Histories of Social Workers in Private Practice: From Marginality to Reflective Practice

From 1993 until 1999 the author undertook a qualitative doctoral research project into the transition of New Zealand social workers from salaried agency employment to private practice (van Heugten, 1999). This private practice was almost exclusively in psychotherapy and counseling. During semi-structured interviews in which a range of topics was covered, respondents were asked what part they thought their life history had played in their decision to become social workers and to become private practitioners. Respondents talked about their parents' political perspectives, their own educational experiences, religion and spirituality, and immigrant status. Many respondents disclosed traumatic early life experiences. Analysis of narratives revealed the prevalence of a perception of being outsiders; of viewing and responding to significant situations differently from other people. Whilst respondents struggled with a pervasive sense of personal and occupational marginalization, they also recognized that their capacity to adopt an outsider perspective made a positive contribution to their practice as social workers and as psychotherapists or counselors.