Effects of Competence Feedback on Psychotherapy Trainees’ Self-Perceived Competence, Professional Self-Confidence, and Self-Disclosure

Abstract: Background: Feedback is considered one of the most important strategies in psychotherapy training. Objective: We investigated the effect of competence feedback on therapist self-perceived competence, professional self-confidence, and tendency to self-disclosure in supervision. Method: Master-level psychotherapy trainees ( N = 67) were randomly assigned to a competence feedback group (CFG) or a control group (CG). Trainees in CFG repeatedly received feedback regarding their therapeutic competencies during cognitive behavioral therapy for 114 patients with a major depressive disorder. Feedback was provided by licensed psychotherapists, based on video tapes of the treatments. Trainees’ therapeutic competencies, professional self-confidence, and tendency to self-disclosure in supervision were evaluated by self-report questionnaires. Results: Self-perceived competence improved significantly more in the CFG than in the CG. Professional self-confidence improved overall, but no differences between CFG and CG were found. Self-disclosure did not change significantly in general. Conclusion: We conclude that specific training strategies are necessary for achieving specific training aims.