The mini-dissertation explains how systems theory provided a healing context
for me in my training as a clinical psychologist over two years. The
emergence of my authentic voice is narrated in an autoethnography (five act
drama) about what happened. The main theoretical bases for the dissertation
are – constructivism to understand the learning and teaching I experienced;
learning as a collaborative endeavour and the emergence of my authentic
voice with help from more skilled others. Systems theory informs the entire
study at every theoretical level. Bowen’s family therapy theory is significant
for the differentiation of the self and his I-position is equated with the
emergence of an authentic voice. Myth, epic narratives, the hero’s journey
amplify my interpretation of the differentiation of self. The raw data for the
qualitative research were observations, interviews, creative writing, photocollage,
a collection of readings, songs and dialogues. The themes emerging
from the autoethnography were about obstructions because of the
authoritarian nature of my upbringing, life and work. These themes lessened
in force in clinical training until my authentic voice emerged in relation to self
and as a clinical psychologist. A recommendation from the dissertation is that
autoethnography provides a good vehicle for reflection and intense interior
scrutiny needed to become a practising clinical psychologist; the
autoethnographical exercise could be used by training clinical psychologists
more extensively on their journey to maturity.PsychologyM.A. (Clinical Psychology
