The importance of identifying and understanding therapist schema in cognitive therapy training and supervision

Abstract

The cognitive therapist's ability to identify, reflect upon, and constructively utilize, the content of his or her beliefs, assumptions, emotions, and behaviours which may be triggered by the interpersonal process occurring in the therapeutic relationship, is increasingly seen as an important part of a successful treatment outcome in cognitive therapy (Safran & Segal, 1996). Identifying "therapist schema" (Leahy 2001) is one mechanism which can be used in training and supervision to facilitate understanding more about how these factors may impact on therapy. Four groups of Cognitive Therapy trainees completed the "Therapists' Schema Questionnaire" (Leahy, 2001). A clear pattern emerged which showed the therapist schema; "demanding standards", "special superior person", and "excessive self-sacrifice" to be the most common schema identified in all four groups. This paper highlights some of the potential therapy interfering effects of therapist schema using the schema listed above. Practical suggestions consistent with the cognitive therapy model are proposed as useful supervision strategies with which to help trainees identify and understand their schema, in the context of the therapeutic relationship.