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Experiential learning for trainee therapists through a shame attack exercise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2020

James Collard Open the ORCID record for James Collard [Opens in a new window]  and
Michael Clarke
James Collard*
Affiliation:
Cairnmillar Institute, Camberwell, Australia
Michael Clarke
Affiliation:
Cairnmillar Institute, Camberwell, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: james.collard@cairnmillar.edu.au
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Abstract

Research on self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) programmes in training cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have shown promising outcomes over the past decade. To date, the SP/SR framework research has generally focused on entire programmes and has rarely assessed the utility of specific exercises as teaching tools. This study aimed to determine the utility of an exposure intervention known as a shame attack in helping to facilitate CBT training in a clinical psychology programe when delivered in a SP/SR framework. It also sought to examine the potential for the exercise to be used as a form of competency-based assessment. Forty-one student trainees engaged in self-directed shame attack exercises and provided written reflections on their experiences. The reflections were then studied via thematic analysis. The results indicate that the exercise provides an avenue for competency-based assessment of trainee therapists’ conceptual knowledge, formulation skills and intervention planning. It also promoted learning outcomes relating to a ‘deeper’ and more nuanced appreciation of CBT theory and practice. The shame attack exercise provided for personal development and the opportunity to experience typical client challenges with engaging in exposure interventions, which have the potential for enhancing empathy and cognitive behavioural skills.

Key learning aims

  1. (1) To understand the usefulness of a shame attack exercise for training within a SP/SR framework.

  2. (2) To examine the potential for using SP/SR as a form of competency-based training.

  3. (3) To demonstrate the benefits of experiential learning through SP/SR in training CBT.

Keywords

cognitive behavioural therapy trainingexperiential learningself-practice self-reflectionshame attack
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 13 , 2020 , e53
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2020

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References

Further reading

Bennett-Levy, J. (2019). Why therapists should walk the talk: the theoretical and empirical case for personal practice in therapist training and professional development. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 62, 133–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.08.004 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bennett-Levy, J., Thwaites, R., Haarhoff, B., & Perry, H. (2015). Experiencing CBT from the inside out: a self-practice/self-reflection workbook for therapists. Experiencing CBT from the Inside Out: A Self-Practice/Self-Reflection Workbook for Therapists. New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press.Google Scholar

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