Feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and incompetence among experienced therapists

Abstract

Feelings of incompetence are an ongoing part of the private experience of being a therapist. They are often linked to therapist stress, distress, and to negative therapeutic processes and outcomes, yet systematic inquiries into the subjective judgment of experienced therapists as inadequate and incompetent in their professional roles are rare. A qualitative approach was used in this study to obtain rich descriptions of encounters with feelings of incompetence among experienced therapists. Eight therapists with a minimum of ten years experience were recruited for the study and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. The resulting transcripts were analysed with procedures based on grounded theory methodology. Findings indicated that feelings of incompetence existed on a continuum of intensity and that the experience was multiply determined. Implications for therapist training and practice are presented.