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Virginia Tech

The Current Use of Self-of-the-therapist Training in COAMFTE Accredited Doctoral Programs: A Survey

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This study explores Self-of-the-therapist (SOTT) training practices in accredited and candidacy status doctoral programs supported by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Seventy-seven (77) surveys were sent to full-time faculty to assess training structures, training implementation, and the common ethical concerns associated with SOTT training in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) doctoral programs. Chi-square tests and Independent Sample t-tests were run to assess for significant associations between various personal identifiers reported by respondents and attitudes toward required therapy for doctoral trainees. The 42% response rate represented 14 of the 18 MFT doctoral programs. The resulting data revealed disagreement within individual programs regarding training and ethical structures. In addition, the following four variables were found to be significantly associated with the belief that therapy should be required for doctoral trainees: a.) Therapy should be required for master trainees; b.) The type of therapy required for doctoral trainees; c.) "Authenticity" as a favorable characteristic in supervisors; and d.) The number of years a respondent had been a client in therapy. Suggestions are offered to COAMFTE regarding ethical concerns related to SOTT training.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Development
Department dc:contributor.department
Human Development
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Sparks, Jennifer B.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Johnson, Scott W.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Protinsky, Howard O. Jr.
  • Skaggs, Gary E.
  • Gressard, Charles
  • Alderfer, Charleen

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-01072003-110017
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/25959

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Sparks, Jennifer B.. The Current Use of Self-of-the-therapist Training in COAMFTE Accredited Doctoral Programs: A Survey. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/25959