Recording client sessions during psychotherapy training: From “an absurd idea” to “potent learning”

Abstract

Background Audio‐ or video‐recording of client sessions is often used in psychotherapy training to develop practitioner skills and improve client services. However, opinion on the value and ethics of this practice is divided, with limited empirical research and no published research in an Irish context. This study aimed to add to the literature, asking two main questions: To what extent are client sessions recorded during psychotherapy training in the Republic of Ireland, and what are Irish psychotherapists’ experiences and attitudes regarding this practice? Methodology An online survey was distributed to members of the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) who subscribe to IAHIP web adverts (30% response rate; N = 120). Data were analysed using SPSS and thematic analysis. Findings Just under half these Irish psychotherapists reported recording client sessions during training; this practice being significantly less common amongst recent graduates. While a small majority agreed with recording during training, a sizeable one‐third disagreed, with others uncertain. Those with regular experience of recording were most supportive of the practice. Positive themes regarding recording were as follows: “strongly enables learning,” “captures reality,” “invaluable opportunity for trainees to have a witness,” and “accountability and protection for clients,” while negative themes were as follows: “an anxious, inhibiting experience,” “distorts/misses reality,” “trainees’ needs impinging on the therapeutic relationship” and “a breach of confidentiality.” Conclusion Irish psychotherapists have strong yet mixed views about recording, reflecting the power of this practice and its ethical complexity. A recommended training protocol for recording client sessions is offered.

Therapist self-awareness and perception of actual performance: the effects of listening to one recorded session

“…As found in other studies, recruitment was affected by resistance by some therapists to confront actual performance ( e.g. , McMahon & Ledden, 2019 ). The absence of significant differences between the therapists’ first and second narratives may, in the first place, be due to the number of participants.…”

“…In a study by McMahon and Ledden ( 2019 ), with 120 Irish psychotherapists, about half stated that they never recorded a therapy session during their training period. The participants considered this practice as both positive in terms of learning and negative for its character, possibly inhibiting or capable of distorting reality.…”

Psykologers erfaringer i videoveiledning – en kvalitativ studie

“…Samtidig finnes det motforestillinger mot videoveiledning. Enkelte har ytret bekymring for at videoopptak av timer kan vaere en trussel mot pasienters konfidensialitet (McMahon & Ledden, 2019), men dette kan ivaretas med gode rutiner for informert samtykke og sikker lagring av videoopptakene (Haggerty & Hilsenroth, 2011). Andre har hevdet at pasientens terapeutiske prosess kan bli forstyrret av å ha et kamera i rommet (Gossman & Miller, 2012).…”

“…De få studiene som tidligere har undersøkt psykologers opplevelser i videoveiledning, viser at psykologer vurderer det som viktig for deres faglige utvikling, og en kvalitetssikring av arbeidet deres, men at det også kan gjøre dem mer engstelige, både i timen som filmes og i veiledning (Brown et al, 2013;Gossman & Miller, 2012;McMahon & Ledden, 2019;Routon, 2017). Studiene har imidlertid viktige begrensninger.…”

“…Studiene har imidlertid viktige begrensninger. I én studie hadde de fleste deltakerne samme terapiteoretiske bakgrunn (McMahon & Ledden, 2019), noe som gjør det vanskelig å vite om resultatene kan knyttes til videoveiledning som sådan, eller om det kun gjelder for videoveiledning innen én terapitradisjon. To av studiene fokuserte på psykologers opplevelse av timene som ble filmet, og belyste derfor i mindre grad opplevelsen av selve veiledningstimen (Brown et al, 2013;Gossman & Miller, 2012).…”