The central idea in evidence-based practice is that it is the therapy that works
and not the therapist. However, this article seeks to show how both our private
and personal lives are an area for reflection when we are working as
psychotherapists, and that personal and private experience can be an important
framework for practising psychotherapy. Through looking at elements of the
personal and private lives of three different therapists in the light of a
therapy session conducted by each, I will try to demonstrate how personal and
private experiences may influence clinical practice. The article builds on an
ongoing grounded theory research project at the Tavistock Centre, London.