Psychotherapy training in Brazil: Experiences of psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists

Abstract

Understanding and skills in psychotherapy are fundamental aspects of clinical psychiatry practice. Learning about psychotherapy during the training of psychiatrists offers solid opportunities for developing high standards of psychiatric practice and providing better outcomes for patients. However, little is known about the extent that psychotherapy training is available to psychiatrists in America. This study aimed to analyze the status of psychotherapy training in Brazil through the experiences of early-career psychiatrists. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted between July and November 2021. A 16-item questionnaire was used to investigate: the quality of psychotherapy training; the organizational aspects of psychotherapy training; and satisfaction with training in psychotherapy. The majority of participants reported having mandatory training in psychotherapy, mainly in cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy. However, only had some practical experience with psychotherapy training. This study highlights the frequent use of psychotherapy training among Brazilian early career psychiatrists. The consensus on the necessity of mandatory psychotherapy training underscores its importance in shaping psychiatric practice. While participants express satisfaction with psychotherapy supervision, the financial burden for advanced training raises concerns. These findings advocate for the improvement of the quality of psychotherapy training in Brazil.