Psychotherapists' interoceptive awareness and accuracy

Abstract

Objective This study examined the different dimensions of interoception in psychotherapists to better understand the significance of interoception in therapeutic work.

Methods Data on objectively defined interoceptive accuracy, response confidence and subjectively assessed interoceptive awareness were collected from psychotherapists. Forty Finnish psychotherapists varying in work experience and theoretical orientation participated in this field study. The interoceptive awareness of their clients (n = 67) in individual psychotherapy was also assessed. The psychotherapists' interoceptive accuracy was compared with that of a reference sample of working adults (n = 38). Data were analysed using mixed methods. The research approach was descriptive and pragmatic.

Results The results showed statistically significantly higher interoceptive awareness in the psychotherapists than clients, which showed a large effect size: Cohen's d = 1.54, 95% CI [1.10, 1.99]. However, the therapists' interoceptive accuracy did not differ from that of a reference sample of persons without therapy training, d = 0.06, CI [−0.40, 0.53].

Conclusion Expanding knowledge on interoception can help psychotherapists to develop professionally while supporting their psychological well-being. This study contributes to research on the role of interoceptive accuracy and awareness in embodied interaction in psychotherapy.