RETHINKING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT TRAINEES'LIFE EXPERIENCE |
| |
| Authors: | Bobbi J. Lyman Cheryl L. Storm Charles D. York |
| |
| Affiliation: | Bobbi J. Lyman, MA, is a doctoral student, Fielding Institute, and is in private practice in Bremerton, WA.;Cheryl L. Storm, PhD, is an Associate Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447.;Charles D. York, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447. |
| |
| Abstract: | A breadth of previous life experience in marriage and family therapy (MFT) trainees is viewed by many theoreticians, clinicians, and supervisors as a prerequisite for practicing MFT. This study assessed the relationship of trainees' life experiences and therapeutic outcome. We predicted that trainees with more life experience would have better therapeutic outcomes during the process of training than those with less experience. Surprisingly, the results indicated that trainees with greater life experience are not generally perceived by clients as more effective. This finding challenges us to rethink our assumptions about the role of life experience in selecting trainees. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
