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

This study investigated the overall developmental trajectories of three conceptually progressive aspects of counseling self-efficacy, including helping skills (HS), session management (SM), and counseling challenges (CH), among beginning therapist trainees in China.

Participants included 103 beginning therapist trainees in a master's level counselor training programme in China, who filled out measures of counselor self-efficacy in three waves over one year of practicum.

(a) Trainees showed highest initial level of HS, followed by SM, with CH being the lowest; and there were significant increases in all three aspects of self-efficacy. (b) Trainee age, gender, and personal therapy hours as a client were associated with the overall self-efficacy developmental trajectories. Specifically, elder therapist trainees reported higher initial levels of self-efficacy in HS and CH; female trainees reported lower initial level but higher increases in CH self-efficacy over practicum; and trainees who had more hours of personal therapy as clients showed higher initial levels on HS but not on other aspects or the change trajectories.

Results in this study may inform trainers regarding trainees' developmental characteristics, and assist them in planning targeted support to better foster trainee progress.