Abstract

CUNHA, Olívia Rodrigues da  and  VANDENBERGHE, Luc Marcel Adhemar. What Do the Behavioral Therapists Learn for their Clinical Practice in the Therapeutic Relationship?. Estud. pesqui. psicol. [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.1, pp.312-328.  Epub May 03, 2024. ISSN 1808-4281.  https://doi.org/10.12957/epp.2023.75313.

According to the current view, the role of a behavioral therapist is trained in courses which theory, interventions and techniques are taught and in clinical supervision supervision where the beginner’s performance is shaped. The aim of this study was to explore a third learning pathway. What do therapists learn in their relationship with their clients? Fourteen behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapists were interviewed about what they learned from their clients. The transcripts were examined according to the precepts of grounded theory analysis. The results suggest that therapists learn about important coordinates of the therapeutic process: the uniqueness of each client, the client's and therapist's responsibility in the process, and also about therapists limitations. They expand their clinical competencies: how to see beyond labels and evaluations, to assume a therapeutic stance, be flexible and authentic. They acquire clinical strategies, learning to allow due space to the client, to respect the client's time and to respond to their needs. Finally, they learn how to manage risks and setbacks, to deal with closeness in the relationship, take advantage of their errors in favor of therapy and how to manage bureaucratic aspects of their profession.

Keywords : therapeutic relationship; behavioral therapy; psychotherapist training; psychotherapeutic processes; therapist learning..

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