Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Socratic Method is a style of inquiry used in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that encourages clients to reflect on their problems and draw conclusions from newly-gained insights. However, assumptions about the superior efficacy of Socratic Method over non-Socratic (didactic)...

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Main Authors: Heiniger, L., Clark, G., Egan, Sarah
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier BV; North Holland 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62737
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author Heiniger, L.
Clark, G.
Egan, Sarah
author_facet Heiniger, L.
Clark, G.
Egan, Sarah
author_sort Heiniger, L.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Socratic Method is a style of inquiry used in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that encourages clients to reflect on their problems and draw conclusions from newly-gained insights. However, assumptions about the superior efficacy of Socratic Method over non-Socratic (didactic) approaches remain largely untested. The aim of this study was to compare the perceived helpfulness of therapists' questions, autonomy supportiveness, likelihood of engaging in therapeutic tasks and preference for Socratic Method versus a didactic approach using a video analogue and ratings of lay observers. The mediating effects of therapeutic alliance and empathy were also examined. Participants (N = 144, mean age = 37, SD = 13) completed an online survey where they rated two videoed therapy analogues. Socratic Method had higher mean scores on perceived helpfulness of therapists’ questions, autonomy supportiveness, and likelihood of engaging in therapeutic tasks and preference than didactic presentation. Perceived helpfulness and preference ratings were higher for Socratic Method after accounting for potential confounders. Perceived therapeutic alliance and empathy both mediated the effect of therapy condition on autonomy and engagement. The findings support the use of Socratic Method in CBT.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-627372018-02-01T05:57:49Z Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy Heiniger, L. Clark, G. Egan, Sarah © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Socratic Method is a style of inquiry used in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that encourages clients to reflect on their problems and draw conclusions from newly-gained insights. However, assumptions about the superior efficacy of Socratic Method over non-Socratic (didactic) approaches remain largely untested. The aim of this study was to compare the perceived helpfulness of therapists' questions, autonomy supportiveness, likelihood of engaging in therapeutic tasks and preference for Socratic Method versus a didactic approach using a video analogue and ratings of lay observers. The mediating effects of therapeutic alliance and empathy were also examined. Participants (N = 144, mean age = 37, SD = 13) completed an online survey where they rated two videoed therapy analogues. Socratic Method had higher mean scores on perceived helpfulness of therapists’ questions, autonomy supportiveness, and likelihood of engaging in therapeutic tasks and preference than didactic presentation. Perceived helpfulness and preference ratings were higher for Socratic Method after accounting for potential confounders. Perceived therapeutic alliance and empathy both mediated the effect of therapy condition on autonomy and engagement. The findings support the use of Socratic Method in CBT. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62737 10.1016/j.jbtep.2017.09.004 Elsevier BV; North Holland restricted
spellingShingle Heiniger, L.
Clark, G.
Egan, Sarah
Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title_full Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title_fullStr Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title_short Perceptions of Socratic and non-Socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
title_sort perceptions of socratic and non-socratic presentation of information in cognitive behaviour therapy
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62737