There is no shortage of studies that confirm mental health treatment is effective in helping people make positive changes. One important criterion in determining treatment effectivenss is a therapist's effectiveness.
Susan Krauss Whilbourne wrote in Psychology Today (August 8, 2011) an article entitled, "Fulfillment at any Age" in which she highlighted psychologist Bruce Wampold's suggestions about what makes an therapist effective. Such a therapist is able to or has the following:
1. A sophisticated set of interpersonal skills, including warmth, acceptance, empathy and ability to track clients' feelings.
2. Form strong alliances with a variety of clients.
3. Trustworthiness.
4. Explain why clients are experiencing their unique symptoms.
5. Attend to and evaluate a client's progress.
6. Adapt treatment to a client's needs and personality.
7. Inspire hope and optimism regarding improvement.
8. Be culturally sensitive - show respect.
9. A goodly amount of self-insight - able to keep separate one's own issues from contaminating a client's.
10. Received ongoing continuing education.
11. Researched the best treatments for specific mental health problems.
12. Established and committed to a treatment plan.
A major research effort is underway to further delineate what characteristics make for an effective therapist. Until such time we are given the results of those studies, the above description is a reasonable guideline to aid a client in evaluating his or her own therapist, which is one of the necessary criteria to help ensure a postive treatment outcome.
Posted on 04/18/2013
by Frank Mancuso
filed under