Abstract
This part of the portfolio encompasses the research dossiers that cover various papers submitted as part of my Practitioner Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology at the University of Surrey. The research has been written throughout my training as a counselling psychologist, capturing features of both my personal and professional development during my training. The dossiers present the research facets of the course, all of which emphasise my main interests and competencies. The research dossier includes three papers: a literature review and two qualitative research studies. The literature review explores and compares two models of borderline personality disorder, specifically the cognitive model and the mentalization based therapy model. The first empirical study utilises grounded theory in exploring Muslim cultural identity, how this might influence their ways of seeking psychological help, their perspectives on psychodynamic therapy, and its compatibility with Muslim cultural and religious values. The second empirical study relates to the literature review and explores therapists’ experiences of conducting mentalization based therapy with borderline personality disorder clients, using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.