Self-disclosure in a self-practice/self-reflection CBT group in professional psychology training.

Abstract

Self-disclosure is a necessary component of group self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR), a teaching method whereby (trainee) psychotherapists engage in reflections with their peers and the facilitator on the self-practice of therapeutic techniques on personally relevant experiences. The making of personal disclosures by nature and within a professional educational environment can be associated with challenging emotions and must be managed appropriately by trainees and facilitators. This study aimed to understand how participants navigate and benefit from this self-disclosure process. In semistructured interviews, eight clinical psychology trainees recounted their experiences, decision-making processes, and the associated learning outcomes of self-disclosures made and witnessed during a group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) program using SP/SR principles. Four themes were developed: “to disclose or not to disclose,” “the virtuous (and nonvirtuous) cycle of self-disclosure,” “sitting in the other chair,” and “making it safer, making it better.” Trainees described that the CBT program using SP/SR helped them to understand and empathize with client self-disclosure and their role as a psychologist in supporting this process and facilitated their understanding of psychotherapist self-disclosure. Recommendations for effective and safe promotion of self-disclosure in SP/SR are made.