The Boundary Construction between Psychotherapeutic and Esoteric Knowledge (on the Example of Psychotherapists and Esoteric Practitioners)

While both psychology and esotericism are gaining popularity as services aimed at solving personal problems, tension arises between these occupational groups. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe mechanisms of boundary construction between the professional knowledge of psychologists and esoteric practitioners. This study is based on 16 interviews collected with psychologists, psychotherapists, and esoteric practitioners listed on Avito Services platform. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. As a result, the main features of psychological and esoteric expertise are delineated. Besides, it was discovered that psychologists are maintaining access to valuable professional resources with entry requirements to professional associations and specialized platforms. Meanwhile, esoteric practitioners can both infringe the expertise of psychologists, dubbing themselves as experts in both fields, as well as keep the fields distinct by referring their clients to psychologists and psychotherapists.