The relation between knowledge and skills assessments in psychotherapy training: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: Although the assessment of therapists’ competence is often conceptualized in a hierarchical model, the model’s implications are underresearched. This study thus focuses on the association between theoretical knowledge and applied knowledge on one side, and communication and therapy skills on the other. Method: N = 69 psychology students took part in a psychotherapy training study including role-plays with standardized patients. The training interventions included reading treatment manuals and watching model videos. We measured theoretical knowledge using multiple-choice questions (MCQ), applied knowledge using case vignettes (CV), and psychotherapy skills in videotaped sessions with standardized patients (SP) using independent competence ratings. Results: Theoretical knowledge correlated significantly with practical competences ( r = .28 - .36, p < .05) and predicted post-intervention skills in SP interactions ( β = .21 - .35, p < .05). Applied knowledge was significantly correlated with practical competences ( r = .31 - .54, p < .05), and predicted post-intervention skills in one out of two treatment conditions ( β = .47, p < .001). Discussion: The results underline the importance of theoretical knowledge and applied knowledge in psychotherapy training in the early career of therapists. The discussion focuses on methodological aspects, and on implications for future studies and training.