# Theoretical Orientations and the Stereotype Content Model – Are Prejudices Barriers to Psychotherapy Integration?

## TL;DR

This study explores how psychotherapists from different schools view each other, finding that in-group biases may hinder collaboration and integration in psychotherapy.

## Contribution

The study applies the stereotype content model to examine in-group biases among psychotherapists from different theoretical orientations.

## Key findings

- Psychotherapists gave higher warmth and competence ratings to their own group than to others.
- In-group biases were found to affect social perceptions across different psychotherapy schools.
- Addressing these biases could improve collaboration and integration in psychotherapy.

## Abstract

Despite efforts to integrate psychotherapy, the field remains fragmented into distinct theoretical orientations and practical approaches. Prejudices held by psychotherapists towards those from other theoretical orientations may hinder cooperation in research and clinical practice. This study examines stereotypes among psychotherapists from different theoretical orientations and practical approaches (‘psychotherapy schools’) towards their in-group and out-group colleagues.

The cross-sectional online study assessed socially shared evaluations of ‘warmth’ and ‘competence’ from the stereotype content model in a sample of 586 German psychotherapists (60.9% licensed; 39.1% in training) from different psychotherapy schools (34.5% psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapists, 19.8% psychodynamic psychotherapists, 28.7% cognitive behavioural therapists, and 17.1% systemic therapists). Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine differences in evaluations based on the rater’s and the rated psychotherapy school.

The psychotherapists' assumed socially shared evaluations of ‘warmth’ and ‘competence’ varied depending on their psychotherapy school affiliation, with significantly higher evaluations assigned to their in-groups than to their out-groups.

The results indicate in-group biases in the social perception of psychotherapists with different theoretical orientations, representing potential barriers to inter-group contact and collaboration. Addressing prejudices is key to strengthening integrative competence in both research and clinical practice.

The discipline of psychotherapy is fragmented into different theoretical orientations.Psychotherapy integration approaches aim to strengthen effectiveness of psychotherapy.In-group biases affect social perceptions of psychotherapists regarding theoretical orientations.Addressing stereotypes may reduce prejudices and stimulate collaboration and integration.

The discipline of psychotherapy is fragmented into different theoretical orientations.

Psychotherapy integration approaches aim to strengthen effectiveness of psychotherapy.

In-group biases affect social perceptions of psychotherapists regarding theoretical orientations.

Addressing stereotypes may reduce prejudices and stimulate collaboration and integration.