Factors Associated with Critical Thinking Abilities in Psychotherapists

Abstract

Critical thinking is assumed to be an important factor in the promotion of evidence-based treatment practices. However, little is known about attitudinal and other dispositional factors that may influence critical thinking in psychotherapists specifically. The aim of the current study was to identify factors associated with critical thinking abilities in psychotherapists. A total of 143 licensed psychotherapists completed an Internet-based survey that assessed their critical thinking ability. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that critical thinking ability was associated with theoretical orientation, reliance on intuition in decision-making, and endorsement of erroneous beliefs about health. Implications for improving critical thinking skills in psychotherapists are discussed.

Keywords:

• critical thinking
• psychotherapy
• complementary and alternative medicine
• intuition
• evidence-based practice

Acknowledgement

The preparation of this article was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH076937 to Brendan Gaudiano.