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Pinocchio’s Nose in Therapy: Therapists’ Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Client Deception

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated therapists’ beliefs about indicators of deception and attitudes toward client deception. We recruited interns and licensed psychologists from various accredited internship sites. They completed a demographics questionnaire, the Detection of Deception Questionnaire, and the Therapist Attitudes Toward Deception measure. The questionnaires measured therapists’ beliefs and attitudes towards client deception. The results indicated that therapists possessed a small number of accurate beliefs about indicators of deception and held a number of negative attitudes toward deceptive clients. Findings also revealed that therapists reported being deceptive with clients. Implications for training and practice are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work, Angelo State University, ASU Station 10907, San Angelo, TX, 76909-0907, USA

    Drew A. Curtis

  2. Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA

    Christian L. Hart

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  1. Drew A. Curtis
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  2. Christian L. Hart
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Correspondence to Drew A. Curtis.

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Curtis, D.A., Hart, C.L. Pinocchio’s Nose in Therapy: Therapists’ Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Client Deception. Int J Adv Counselling 37, 279–292 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-015-9243-6

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