Toh, Mui Hua Catherine, Barlas, Joanna, and Singh, Smita (2026) A Path Towards Self-Awareness: A Longitudinal IPA Study Exploring Hindering Self-Focused Attention in Counsellors-in-Training. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 26 (4). e70227.

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Abstract

Background: Hindering self-focused attention (HSA) refers to momentary experiences of internal self-focus involving cognitive, emotional and bodily disruptions that may heighten vulnerability to stress among counsellors-in-training. Previous research has primarily been cross-sectional and conducted in Western training contexts, limiting understanding of its temporal and cultural dimensions. Aim: This study explored experiences associated with HSA and how these experiences evolved over time within the Singapore training context. Method: A longitudinal designed was adopted, with semi-structured interviews conducted at two time points over an 18-month period with 10 participants. The transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), resulting in seven subthemes organised into two Group Experiential Themes (GETs). Findings: GET 1. HSA as a Vulnerability Shaped by the Developing Self: (a) Manifestations of HSA through thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and behaviours; (b) Cultural and familial foundations of HSA; (c) Childhood experiences shaping HSA; and (d) HSA as a learned coping strategy; and GET 2. HSA as a Meaningful Signal Within the Developing Professional Self: (a) HSA in negotiating developing professional competence; (b) HSA in embracing professional vulnerability; and (c) HSA as a catalyst for professional growth. HSA is used as an interpretative lens to organise recurrent experiential patterns of self-focused attentional disruption across cognitive, emotional, somatic and relational domains. Findings suggest that such experiences, shaped by cultural and developmental contexts, may initially challenge trainees' emerging professional identity, particularly amid concerns about hierarchy, face, achievement and emotional expression. Over time, participants described increasingly reflective and integrated ways of engaging with these experiences, alongside greater professional consolidation in advanced training stages. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of culturally responsive approaches to counsellor training and supervision that attend to the developmental transformation of self-focused attentional experiences.

Item ID:	94054
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1746-1405
Keywords:	counsellor training; hindering self-focused attention; interpretative phenomenological analysis; professional identity development; self-awareness
Copyright Information:	© 2026 The Author(s). Counselling and Psychotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2026 23:38
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520303 Counselling psychology @ 60% 39 EDUCATION > 3903 Education systems > 390305 Professional education and training @ 40%
SEO Codes:	16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 1601 Learner and learning > 160104 Professional development and adult education @ 50% 20 HEALTH > 2003 Provision of health and support services > 200305 Mental health services @ 50%
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