Therapist Limiting/Blocking Beliefs

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

 

 

*The contribution of therapist beliefs to psychological distress in therapists: an investigation of vicarious traumatization, burnout and symptoms of avoidance and intrusion.

Sara McLean, Tracey D. Wade and Jason S. Encel.

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2004, October 2003 , pp. 417 - 428

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S135246580300403X

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Additional Limiting/Blocking Beliefs for Energy Psychologists

I doubt the energy part of this, even though I know it works.

This is woo-woo.

My clients will feel uncomfortable.

I can't explain this.

My clients will think I'm weird.

I'm afraid to try something new.

I've been told this is not evidence based.

I've been told it's not ethical.

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