Theoretical and practical barriers to practitioners' willingness to seek training in empirically supported treatments

Abstract

To identify barriers to the dissemination of empirically supported treatments (ESTs), a random sample of psychologists in independent practice (N=1291) was asked to complete measures of attitudes towards ESTs and willingness to attend a 3-hour, 1-day, or 3-day workshop in an EST of their choice. The strongest predictor of unwillingness to obtain EST training was the amount of time and cost required for the workshop, followed by objections to the need for EST training. Psychodynamic (compared to cognitive-behavioral) and more experienced practitioners agreed more strongly with the objections to ESTs overall, as did those whose graduate schools had not emphasized psychotherapy research. Results suggest that both practical and theoretical barriers are significant obstacles to EST dissemination.

Bringing Technology to Training: Web-Based Therapist Training to Promote the Development of Competent Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists

“…However, traditional training workshops on EBPs can be expensive, time consuming, and inaccessible to nonprofit, community, or private practice organizations. One study confirms that therapists rate cost, time, and lack of or insufficient access to training in EBP and supervision as significant barriers to training in and utilization of EBP (Stewart, Chambless, & Baron, 2012).…”

Computer-assisted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized trial on the impact of lay vs. professional coaching

“…However, with this increased emphasis has come increased demand. As a result, the number of therapists trained in CBT falls far short of the demand [32,33]. The percentage of patients with OCD actually receiving CBT treatment ranges from 5% to 7% [34,35], in spite of the fact that persons with OCD have been found to prefer CBT (either alone or in combination with medication) over treatment with medication alone [36].…”

Evaluating Practitioner Training to Improve Competencies and Organizational Practices for Engaging Fathers in Parenting Interventions

“…Secondly, no research has examined whether training of practitioners improves organizational support for father-inclusive practice or enhances service-level use of father engagement strategies, despite evidence that organizational factors appear to be important for father engagement [4]. Finally, some of the training programs implemented to date have been lengthy, at up to 2 days in duration, and given demands on practitioners' time, there is likely to be reduced uptake of lengthy training [15]. Thus, we aimed to examine the outcomes of a brief half-day training program targeting a broad range of professionals delivering parenting interventions, and to examine changes in practitioner competencies and organizational support for father-inclusive practice.…”