Psychoanalysis.  2024 Jul;35(3):29-35. 10.18529/psychoanal.2024.35.3.29.

Personal Training Is a Great Way for Psychotherapists to Empathize With Their Clients

• Bahn GH

• KMID: 2558242
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18529/psychoanal.2024.35.3.29

Abstract

This paper explores the potential benefits of integrating personal training techniques into psychotherapeutic practice as a way for therapists to build beneficial experiences with patients or clients. The author describes his actual experiences with personal train-ing in detail, highlighting both the differences and similarities between the field of psychotherapy and personal training. In partic-ular, the author elaborates on the experience of empathizing with the patient’s condition during psychotherapy through the emo-tional responses felt during personal training. The paper discusses methods for integrating the elements of personal training, such as goal setting, client-centered focus, supportive relationships, and behavioral changes, which are common to both fields, into tra-ditional psychotherapy. Through this, the paper aims to find ways to utilize the elements of personal training in psychotherapeutic training and practice, thereby expanding psychotherapeutic techniques and discussing the practical implications of enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.

Keyword

Psychotherapy; Personal training; Therapeutic techniques; Patient engagement; Skill development; Empathy