Understanding Friendly Submissiveness in Therapy
In the realm of psychotherapy, the balance between empathy and assertiveness is crucial. A recent study titled "You really are too kind: implications regarding friendly submissiveness in trainee therapists" sheds light on how being overly accommodating can impact therapy outcomes. The research, conducted by Cain et al. (2018), explores the concept of friendly submissiveness (FS) and its implications for trainee therapists.
The Research Findings
The study assessed 35 clinical graduate trainees using the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32 to measure FS. Trainees were paired with undergraduate volunteers for four therapy sessions. The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between FS and patient-rated depth, alliance, and overall helpfulness of therapy. Trainees with higher FS struggled to focus therapy in a way that felt productive to patients.
Implications for Trainee Therapists
For practitioners, the implications are clear: while friendliness is a valuable trait, excessive submissiveness can hinder therapeutic progress. Trainees with high FS may avoid challenging techniques that provoke discomfort, potentially leading to less effective therapy sessions. This avoidance can result in weaker therapeutic alliances and reduced session depth.
Strategies for Improvement
- Self-awareness: Trainees should engage in self-reflection to understand their interpersonal styles and how these may affect therapy.
- Supervision: Supervisors can play a critical role by encouraging trainees to embrace discomfort and navigate conflicts constructively.
- Training: Incorporating personality assessments and feedback into training programs can help trainees identify and mitigate the effects of FS.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore FS in seasoned therapists and across different therapeutic settings. Understanding how FS interacts with various patient variables can enhance training and improve therapy outcomes.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: You really are too kind: implications regarding friendly submissiveness in trainee therapists.
