The psychotherapist as a neglected variable in psychotherapy: An illustration by reference to the role of therapist experience and training

Journal/Book: Clin Psychol Sci Practice. 1997; 4: Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513. Oxford Univ Press Inc. 44-52.

Abstract: Over the past two decades, research has turned its attention from studies of therapist and patient traits to studies of manualized therapy models and technical procedures. Randomized clinical trials designs, while making many contributions to understanding psychotherapy and even increasing the available evidence of its efficacy, have not adequately addressed the unique contributions of patient and therapist characteristics. Indeed, in same ways, the adoption of randomized clinical trials as the ''gold standard'' of research methodology may have inadvertently obscured the roles of therapist and patient variables in effective psychotherapy. This article uses therapist experience and training as examples of variables whose contributions cannot be assessed by using diagnosis as a standard of patient uniformity or manual adherence as a standard of therapy purity.

Note: Article Beutler LE, Univ Calif Santa Barbara, Dept Educ, Santa Barbara,CA 93106 USA

Keyword(s): psychotherapists; experience; training; relationship; psychotherapy; LIMITED DYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY; COGNITIVE THERAPY

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