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Testing the effectiveness of wisdom-based interventions in professional psychology training
Date Issued
2026
Conference
Citation
Plantade-Gipch, A., Amarasuriya, S., Mohamed, A. R., Jayawickreme, E., & Tong, K. H. (26 Jun 2026). Testing the effectiveness of wisdom-based interventions in professional psychology training. SPR 57th International Annual Meeting, Osaka, Japan.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Wisdom is increasingly recognized as a universal phenomenon aimed at pursuing harmony, expressing modesty, and maintaining emotional regulation (Amarasuriya et al., 2024; Takahashi & Overton, 2002). These qualities are highly relevant to clinical and counseling psychology, as they foster deep reflective practice. Specifically, wisdom training may help future therapists cultivate open-mindedness, emotional awareness, and the capacity to align therapeutic goals with clients. This is achieved through five core dimensions: intellectual humility, recognition of uncertainty, consideration of broader contexts, integration of diverse viewpoints, and the adoption of an outsider’s perspective (Brienza et al., 2018). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a wisdom-based professional training program. Twenty-seven clinical or counseling psychology students from diverse international backgrounds—including France, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the US, and Hong Kong—will participate. Using a randomized controlled design, half of the participants will be assigned to an experimental wisdom training group, while the remainder will form a control group. Efficacy will be measured using the Situated Wise Reasoning Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Working Alliance Inventory, alongside qualitative program feedback. Data analysis will utilize descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVAs, ANCOVAs, and t-tests to determine statistical significance and effect sizes. We hypothesize that training will not only enhance participants' capacity for wisdom—such as accepting complex emotions and broadening perspective-taking—but also bolster their confidence in establishing strong therapeutic alliances. This poster presentation will report the preliminary data and discuss implications for modernizing psychology curricula.
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