Date of Award
Fall 11-23-2016
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Michael Karson
Second Advisor
Fernand Lubuguin
Third Advisor
Kimberly Mathewson
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Keywords
Bluntness, Immediacy, Countertransference, Distorted beliefs, Schemas
Abstract
Most therapists agree that therapy should be a place where the unspeakable is speakable, and the role of the therapist should be to help the client find a way to change by exploring the patterns of behavior that are no longer working for the client. Being blunt in therapy seems to be one of the key factors needed to promote immediacy, to challenge habitual ways of thinking that are not productive for our clients, and to create a relationship that is different from social and professional relationships. However, many therapists have distorted beliefs about using bluntness in therapy to stimulate curiosity and productivity, because of their own schemas/beliefs about what therapy is or about speaking one’s mind. This paper will explore why clinical trainees bite their tongues in therapy, and what to do about it through the lens of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). To explore distorted beliefs that some therapists have about being blunt in therapy, I consulted with fellow students and myself, asking what it would be like to be blunt and say what we are thinking in therapy and, if they felt reluctant to do so, what would be the worst thing that could happen if they would speak out. I have categorized these personal communications down to six beliefs that my fellow student-therapists and I have about ourselves and our clients, that keep us from being blunt in therapy.
Copyright Date
12-2-2016
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Ingibjorg Thors
Provenance
Received from Author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
36 pgs
File Size
694 KB
Recommended Citation
Thors, Ingibjorg, "Why Therapists Bite Their Tongue in Therapy and What to Do About It" (2016). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 229.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/229
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons