‘Don't just magically assume you're going to get better as a therapist as time goes on’: An exploration of the use of deliberate practice

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2024-02-28 DOI:10.1002/capr.12746

Daryl Mahon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Deliberate practice (DP) is an emerging concept in counselling and psychotherapy research that can be used to effectively help practitioners develop a host of therapy skills and processes. However, to date, no studies have examined its use in naturalistic settings with professionally qualified practitioners.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach using content analysis was employed with a purposive sample of international practitioners who were using DP in naturalistic settings. The sample consisted of therapists (N = 6) from five different countries, identifying as male (N = 5) and female (N = 1).

Results

Six categories were developed from qualitative interviews: (1) motivation for engaging in DP; (2) the impact of definition and operationalisation; (3) what to practice; (4) how to practice DP; (5) use of supports to develop DP; and (6) the emotional impact of DP. Deliberate practice is still in its infancy, and its definition may not translate into psychotherapy without modification. Participants described using DP to develop a host of psychotherapy skills and processes, and found support structures such as supervision and peers as helpful in the DP process. However, DP was also described as challenging to practice and it can cause those engaging in it to feel vulnerable and distressed. Implications are discussed for practice and future research.

Conclusion

Deliberate practice is an emerging method used by practitioners to improve their skill acquisition. However, a lack of consensus on its key features may limit the extent of its dissemination and utility to practitioners in naturalistic settings. Further research should seek to provide a definition of DP more consistent with the practice of psychotherapy, and how to operationalise DP using methods that are inclusive for all practitioners whilst acknowledging the potential impact it can have on their sense of self.

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不要神奇地认为，随着时间的推移，你会成为一名更好的治疗师"：使用刻意练习的探索

慎思实践（DP）是咨询和心理治疗研究中的一个新兴概念，可用于有效帮助从业人员发展一系列治疗技能和过程。本研究采用内容分析的定性描述方法，对在自然环境中使用 "刻意练习 "的国际从业人员进行了有目的的抽样调查。样本包括来自五个不同国家的治疗师（N = 6），分别为男性（N = 5）和女性（N = 1）。定性访谈共分为六个类别：（1）参与 "蓄意练习 "的动机；（2）定义和操作化的影响；（3）练习什么；（4）如何练习 "蓄意练习"；（5）使用支持发展 "蓄意练习"；以及（6）"蓄意练习 "的情感影响。刻意练习仍处于起步阶段，其定义可能无法不加修改地转化为心理疗法。参与者描述了使用 "刻意练习 "发展一系列心理治疗技能和过程的情况，并认为督导和同伴等支持结构对 "刻意练习 "过程很有帮助。然而，DP 也被描述为具有挑战性的实践，它可能会让参与其中的人感到脆弱和痛苦。讨论了对实践和未来研究的影响。然而，由于对其主要特征缺乏共识，可能会限制其在自然环境中的传播范围和对从业人员的实用性。进一步的研究应寻求提供更符合心理治疗实践的 "慎思实践 "定义，以及如何在承认 "慎思实践 "可能对从业者的自我意识产生潜在影响的同时，使用对所有从业者都具有包容性的方法来操作 "慎思实践"。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.