[Self-selection processes in the choice of the therapeutic training approach: differences in therapeutic attitudes, personality traits and attributional complexity].

AIM: Treatment approaches differ to a great extent in terms of basic psychological assumptions and practical procedures. This creates questions about the fitting of therapist and therapeutic approach. This paper examines the influence of therapeutic attitudes, mentalization interest and personality traits on the decision for an approach.
METHODS: 184 participants of training programs in one of the 3 licensed treatment approaches in Germany were examined with questionnaires at the beginning of their training.
RESULTS: Participants significantly differed in terms of therapeutic attitudes and the metallization interest but not in personality traits except openness. Satisfaction with training was not related to the individual fit of participants to the therapeutic attitudes typical for their approach.
CONCLUSION: Therapeutic attitudes, the extent of mentalization interest, and openness may play a role in self-selection processes in the choice of the approach. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.