‘When it goes well, it works fantastically’: motivations to train and their impact on the practice of CBT

Abstract

Cognitive behavioural therapy training courses recruit individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds; however, little is known about the motivations of individuals to train in CBT, compared with other therapeutic modalities. Previous research has found that role transition generates multiple intrapersonal conflicts for trainees, therefore it is of interest to better understand the impact of motivational factors on the experience of learning and practising CBT. Forty-three qualified CBT practitioners completed an online questionnaire with the data analysed using a grounded theory approach. A core category of ‘Alignment with CBT’ was drawn from the data, characterised by two distinct groups of therapists – ‘CBT endorsers’ and ‘career enhancers’. A model was developed consisting of universal and group specific factors related to motivation. The findings add to the literature on the impact of therapist characteristics on CBT practice. Practical applications of the model for trainers and supervisors are discussed. Key learning aims As a result of reading this paper, readers should: (1) Understand how various motivations to train in CBT affect engagement with theories and interventions; (2) Be able to identify some of their own intrapersonal challenges in the application of CBT formulations and interventions; (3) Recognise training and supervision strategies that might assist with identifying and managing challenges related to epistemic style and theoretical orientation.