Self-related experience in the training of behavior therapists: Overview and first evaluation of a program

Background: During the past years, a growing body of research has documente d the importance of scientific evaluation of self-related experience (SE) a s an element in the training and education of behavior therapists. After a survey of the literature this paper describes the SE concept developed thro ugh our research group and a first attempt of its evaluation. Method: Our p rimary interest was to assess the group experience over the course of 100 h ours distributed over 4 weekends. The main focus was on the third weekend, which included an additional evaluation process of participants and group l eaders. We further assessed the participants' expectations as well as their ratings after participation. Results: Results of the group experience indi cate that the evaluation on the third weekend stimulated a reflection of in tra- and interindividual processes and facilitated new learning experiences . Before starting the SE group, participants mainly expected a development of their basic therapeutic skills (e.g, empathy, positive regard). However, according to the retrospective ratings of the participants, personal aspec ts of self-experience have been addressed more intensively and their convey ance was rated as more effective. The expectations before beginning SE were generally higher than the ratings of the perceived contents after particip ation. Conclusions: The results suggest that the value of SE depend on part icipants' experience as therapists as well as on duration and level of thei r training as behavior therapists. Accordingly, the contents of SE should b e adapted in a flexible way.