Self‐concept of relational skills in psychotherapy trainees: A pilot study

Abstract

Background Personal characteristics and relational skills represent central aspects of the psychotherapist's work, and yet, little is still known about them in the context of psychotherapy training. Objective This paper presents a preliminary exploration of the self‐concepts of relational skills in psychotherapy trainees. Changes in the self‐concept in N = 131 psychotherapy trainees were explored through analysis of self‐image ideal‐self and self/ideal‐self discrepancy in two stages (beginning vs. advanced). Method Data were collected with a modified version of the self‐rated instruments Trainee Background Information Form and Trainee Current Practice Report (Orlinsky et al., 2015), and analysed with analyses of covariances for each dependent variable. Results Expected differences in the self‐image of beginning versus advanced trainees were not detected. However, differences in trainees’ ideal‐self and in self/ideal‐self discrepancy were found. Some gender and age differences were also detected. Conclusions The results suggest possible changes in the self‐concept of relational skills, indicative of self‐development processes such as discovering a realistic sense of self and self‐boundaries, managing intensive emotional interactions and developing regulatory interpersonal mechanisms. An in‐depth and more refined future exploration of various aspects of the self‐concept in the context of psychotherapy training is needed to help understand the complex processes of forming an integrated self of psychotherapists.

Das Fehlen des Körpers in der psychotherapeutischen Ausbildung: Qualitative Analyse von Gruppendiskussionen mit Studierenden

“…Diese Aneignung von Wissen in Kombination mit persönlicher Entwicklung ist eines der zentralen Kennzeichen der psychotherapeutischen Ausbildung insgesamt (Tilkidhzieva et al. 2019 ; Orlinsky und Ronnestad 2005 ) und konnte auch in der vorliegenden Untersuchung nachvollzogen werden.…”

Trainees' Intrapsychic Attunement in the Process of Psychotherapy Training

“…It is a complex challenge to be a psychotherapist, whereas psychotherapeutic training is even more compounded undertaking (Mahoney, 1998), due to most salient impact on shaping process of which kind of therapist educants will become (Orlinsky et al, 2023). Although relational skills and personal characteristics represent core facets of psychotherapeutic engagement, little is known in the psychotherapeutic training context (Tilkidzhieva et al, 2019). Moreover, one of the paramount facets is theoretical orientation choice, while deciding on psychotherapeutic training, considering the influence on professional career and performance, as well as personal well-being (Rønnestad & Skovholt, 2003;Plchová et al, 2016).…”

“…The limitation found while exploring the literature for this paper was the scarce amount of studies investigating associations and changes of emotional intelligence over the course of psychotherapy training, available studies were more focused on respective counsellor training programs. Future endeavours in an exploration of EQ impact within intrapsychic attunement may focus salience on various aspects of self-concepts in a way to comprehend complex processes and dimensions of the formation of integrated self within the training process (Tilkidzhieva et al, 2019). Suggestions for further exploration would be an assessment of individual beliefs of psychotherapy trainees via qualitative research design in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a prior assessment of educants life events, and inclusion of a control group of psychologists not participating in psychotherapy training.…”

“…Considering the broad implications of emotional intelligence competencies, a study by Fauth & Williams (2005) educants in-session self-awareness levels were generally helpful rather than hindering from the perspective of educant and student-client. Over the context of psychotherapy training, an educant is passing the process of discovering and framing the sense of self, and own boundaries in realistic terms, while developing regulatory interpersonal mechanisms and maintaining all-encompassing emotional interactions, leading to overall alternations in relational skills and self-concept (Tilkidzhieva et al, 2019).…”

An overview of the Italian contribution to the international multisite SPRISTAD study on psychotherapy training

“…First of all, the size of the samples which, although growing, is still very limited. Data collected so far cannot be considered as representative of the Italian situation and preliminary data coming from other countries have been not yet published (with the exception of recently published background data from Austria: Löffler-Stastka et al, 2018 ; Löffler-Stastka et al, 2019 in press; Tilkidzhieva et al, 2019 ). The very low number of schools that have joined the study can itself be thought of as a critical issue, as it perhaps signals an imperfect understanding of the potentiality that the study may have.…”