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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9131-9644
Date of Graduation
5-9-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Elena Savina
Abstract
Emotions are central to the process of therapy. This is why it is important for therapists to possess emotional skills to work with their own and clients’ emotions to promote change. While therapeutic competencies have been well-researched, the emotional competencies of student therapists have received limited research attention. The present research aims to understand students’ beliefs regarding emotions in therapy and test strategies to train aspiring therapists’ emotional competencies. Students in a clinical and school psychology doctoral program participated in focus groups to explore their beliefs about emotions in therapy and their needs for emotional training. They also engaged in a workshop to train emotional competencies. Results of Study 1 indicated that students experience a range of emotions in the therapy room, track their emotions in therapy, and use display rules to determine appropriate emotional expression. Students reported a variety of strategies to regulate their emotions and work with clients’ emotions. Differences across cohorts were found in students’ ability to track their emotions, comfort expressing anxiety about their competence, and knowledge of display rules. Results of Study 2 suggested that overall, most activities trained emotional skills that they were intended to promote. More time on certain activities may have been useful, particularly for those that focused on therapists’ own emotions. Students suggested having multiple shorter sessions with more time for activities. Recommendations for the emotional training of aspiring therapists are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Rajagopal, Tara, "Cultivating emotional competencies in therapists-in-training" (2024). Dissertations, 2020-current. 161.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/diss202029/161
