“I had no idea this shame piece was in me”: Couple and family therapists’ experience with learning an evidence-based practice

Robert Allan,Virginia Eatough,Michael Ungar,Sirous Mobini

doi:10.1080/23311908.2015.1129120

Abstract

AbstractThis study reports on the experience of shame while learning an evidence-based approach to working with couples or families. Couple and family therapists were interviewed about their experience with learning and using an evidence-based practice (EBP) and the data was analyzed using a phenomenological approach called interpretative phenomenological analysis. The theme of shame emerged from a number of research participants as part of their development with the EBP they were integrating into their practice. Starting with an exploration of the participants’ experiences and the impact of shame, the paper will then link these experiences with the psychological and sociological research literature about shame.

Highlights

Engagement with evidence-based practice (EBP) is growing across mental health care systems
This paper reports on these findings while integrating relevant research literature on the social experience of shame
Using a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach called interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA, Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009), we explore the experiences of couple and family therapists learning and using an EBP

Summary

Introduction

Engagement with evidence-based practice (EBP) is growing across mental health care systems. As Hunsley (2007) noted, “Initially developed and promoted within medicine, the EBP model is being applied in a broad range of health and human service systems, including mental and behavioral health care, social work, education, and criminal justice” Dr Robert Allan is an assistant professor in the couple and family track of the graduate counseling program at the University of Colorado Denver. He received his PhD from Dalhousie University and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as an Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. His research interests include therapists’ learning and development and the contexts of evidence-based practices.

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