Published: October 2026

Keywords:
Dialogic Self Theory, novice psychotherapists, inadequacy, professional identity, Dialogic Narrative Analysis.

Persephone Lafazani

Persephone Lafazani studied psychology at the University of Crete and holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Utrecht University. She has also completed a four-year training program in Systemic Psychotherapy at KΕ.SΥ.TH.E.S. In addition, she served as a facilitator in the Psychoeducational Program for the Development of Professional Identity among Psychology Students, based on the Theory of the Dialogical Self. The program was conducted by the University of Ioannina in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Since 2022, she has worked as a psychologist in various settings. She currently collaborates with the P. Sakellaropoulos Institute for Children and Adults in its Psychiatric Home Care Unit. She also works in private practice with individuals, couples, and families, applying systemic theory and practice.

Abstract

This study explores how emerging psychotherapists experience feelings of inadequacy in their professional practice, how they perceive and understand how these feelings affect their therapeutic work, and how they contribute to the formation of their professional identity. This study draws on the Theory of the Polyphonic Self and Dialogic Self Theory as its theoretical framework, as personal development is rooted in the dialogic process. We used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews, and five psychotherapists with up to two years of experience participated. The study used Dialogic Narrative Analysis for data analysis. The results revealed five dialogic processes in which the therapists’ different voices engage: Conflict, Support, Suppression, Negotiation, and Coalitions. Thus, inadequacy emerged as a dialogic process that, through reflection, can serve as a catalyst for fostering authenticity, self-compassion, and the professional development of young therapists.

This thesis was prepared as part of the Four-Year Training Program in Systemic – Family Therapy at the Centre for Systemic Therapy and Counselling (KESYTHES), which is conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Education Branch of the European Family Therapy Association (European Family Therapy Association – EFTA).