Therapists' Negative Beliefs

This is a compiled list of common negative beliefs that therapists may hold. Go through this list to find beliefs that are sabotaging your well-being, and then use the "Reversing Negative Beliefs" process on the following page. Feel free to add any that emerge for you, and if it seems to you, they should be on this list, please contact me with the beliefs. (thank you!)

 

The bulk of it comes from the following article: The contribution of therapist beliefs to psychological distress in therapists: an investigation of vicarious traumatization, burnout and symptoms of avoidance and intrusion. It was published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2004. Authors: Sara McLean, Tracey D. Wade and Jason S. Encel

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , October 2003 ,

pp. 417 - 428.   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S135246580300403X

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The following are the statements that were then found to be the most relevant and statisically reliable for therapist strain.

 

Therapist Belief Scale (most reliable items of 56)

 

I must not make mistakes in therapy, if I do then I’ve failed 71 *

I expect my clients to progress smoothly in therapy 64 *

There is no room for mistakes in therapy 64 *

If my clients do not progress it is my responsibility 63 *

If I just stick to one therapeutic model it will solve the problem for me 62 *

Once I have decided on a treatment model I should stick to it 62 *

I am responsible if therapy is not successful 60 *

I must fully understand my client or I won’t feel effective 58 *

If I don’t understand what happens in therapy I’m extremely uncomfortable 57 *

The course of therapy should be predictable 57 *

If I deviate from the clinical model then I’ve failed 56 *

If I allow my clients to distress me I’m a failure 55 *

I must fully understand what happens in therapy in order to help the client 55 *

I must work at peak efficiency at all times 54 *

I should be able to achieve results within a certain time frame 53 *

Strong emotions will overwhelm and damage my client because they are fragile 52 *

I must always adhere strictly to a therapeutic model or I am unprofessional 52 *

If I don’t have all the information I’m uncomfortable with therapy 51 *

I must protect my client from reliving painful events 51 *

If I work hard enough therapy will always be successful 51 *

If I allow myself to feel what my client fells I’ll be damaged 50 *

I must not allow my client to become too distressed in therapy 50 *

If I am affected by my client’s story it will paralyse me and make me ineffective 49 *

I am totally responsible for my client’s welfare 49 *

If I have strong reactions to my clients it means I’m abnormal 49 *

I shouldn’t allow my clients to become distressed, they really want to feel better 48 *

My client cannot cope without me 47 *

Unexpected events in therapy make me feel anxious 47 *

It is unprofessional to take an eclectic approach to therapy 47 *

It is my role to find the solutions to my client’s difficulties 45 *

I will be able to make a difference with every client I see 44 *

It is unprofessional to act spontaneously in therapy 44 *

It is unfair for my client to treat me rudely 43 *

I should treat all clients the same way 42 *

All traumas affect all clients in basically the same way 31 *

I should be emotionally available to my client at all times 41 *

If I rely on my training, I’ll find the solution 40 *

I must never allow my clients to distress me 39 *

I should not show emotion in front of my client 38 *

I should remain calm and in control at all times 34 *

My work should never impact on my personal life

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I and some of my workshop participants have added a few negative and limiting beliefs:

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I have to save the world.

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