What Are the Conditions Needed to Facilitate Online Self-Reflection for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Trainees?

Introduction Self-practice (practicing cognitive behaviour therapy techniques on self as therapist and Self-reflection (reflecting on the experience of self-practice) is gaining increasing support as a mechanism supporting the improved acquisition and development of therapist skill in both novice and more experienced practitioners. Research in several countries has confirmed that participants have found SP/SP extremely useful both professionally and personally. Despite the increasing evidence of benefit it has also been observed that some participants fail to fully engage with the SP/SR process, drop out or do not complete SP/SR programmes. Recently, on-line interactive blogs have been identified as useful in improving SP/SR engagement in the training of practitioners involved in stepped care programmes. Objective To qualitatively explore the utility of an online self-practice/ selfreflection blog as a mechanism with the potential to facilitate postgraduate cognitive behaviour therapy trainees engagement in self-practice/ selfreflection as a training strategy. Method Nine trainees completed an online self-practice/ self-reflection programme as a component of a Postgraduate Diploma of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. On completion trainees were invited to complete an electronic feedback form and participate in a focus group discussion regarding their experience of engaging with an interactive self-reflection blog. Results Thematic analysis resulted in identifying one central theme: Experience of the SRB, under which six sub themes, namely: Obstacles, and Solutions, Being Observed, Online Synergy, Motivation and Time as a factor, were noted. Themes are discussed in relation to recommendations for future training providers to improve trainee engagement and utilisation of self-reflective online programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]