Degree Name

Department

Psychology

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2024-03-04

Publication Date

2024-03-13

First Faculty Advisor

Benjamin Ogles

First Faculty Reader

Jon Balzotti

Honors Coordinator

Bruce Brown

Keywords

validity, deliberate practice, therapy, simulated therapy videos, graduate school training, ethics

Abstract

Psychotherapy recipients seek optimal treatment, emphasizing the importance of therapists undergoing evidence-based training for effective outcomes. Deliberate practice (DP) is a proven method for systematic improvement. While still evolving, DP shows promise in various domains, including psychotherapy, with effective implementation requiring goal setting, feedback, and persistence.

This study introduces videos simulating ethical dilemmas in therapy. To assess the ecological validity of these videos, a survey examines participants' perceptions of realism, difficulty, and anticipated anxiety across 11 ethical scenarios. Participants include undergraduate and graduate students, as well as licensed professionals. This research aims to provide empirical evidence supporting the validity of DP ethical training videos. The study contributes to enhancing training experiences and validating stimuli for aspiring professionals in the field.