Exploring Therapist Self-Efficacy Change Profiles Using Latent Growth Curve Analysis

Area of Science:

• Counseling Psychology
• Therapist Training
• Professional Development

Background:

• Counseling self-efficacy is crucial for therapist competence.
• Understanding developmental trajectories informs training programs.
• Limited research exists on counseling self-efficacy development in Chinese therapist trainees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental trajectories of helping skills (HS), session management (SM), and counseling challenges (CH) self-efficacy in beginning therapist trainees in China.
• To examine factors associated with these developmental trajectories.

Main Methods:

• 103 beginning therapist trainees in a master's program in China participated.
• Counselor self-efficacy was measured across three domains (HS, SM, CH) at three time points over one year of practicum.

Main Results:

• Trainees reported the highest initial HS self-efficacy, followed by SM, and lowest CH self-efficacy.
• Significant increases in self-efficacy were observed across all three domains.
• Trainee age, gender, and personal therapy hours were associated with self-efficacy trajectories. Elder trainees and those with more personal therapy hours reported higher initial HS self-efficacy. Female trainees reported lower initial CH self-efficacy but greater increases over time.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the developmental nature of counseling self-efficacy in novice therapists.
• Results can inform training programs to provide targeted support for trainee development.
• Understanding demographic influences can help tailor interventions to foster therapist competence.