I have borrowed the phrase “knowledge, skills, and abilities” from the human resources field. Here is a discussion of the attributes that set successful therapists apart:

Collaboration: Competent therapists see themselves as working alongside their patients; effective therapists do not see themselves as applying treatment to their patients. Successful therapists view the patients as equal human beings, worthy of full respect and dignity, who have been entrusted to their care. These concepts take in Carl Rogers’ principles of empathy and “unconditional positive regard.”

Genuineness: Successful therapists care only about their individual patients during the sessions and convey that caring to the patients. Outside the sessions, competent therapists think about their patients respectfully and consider it an honor to work with them. Competent therapists never discuss their patients with others in a disparaging manner even if their identity is not betrayed. Sadly, I have encountered a few therapists who have spoken of patients in terms of demeaning nicknames or made fun of supposed foibles. Fortunately, therapists do not have to be models of behavior to be successful, but they do have to care deeply about their patients and about the the therapy process both in and out of the sessions.

Ethical Principles: When asked what the first principle of ethical behavior is, most therapists immediately say, “Do no harm!”; Actually that is second. The first principle is informed consent. Successful therapists assure that patients know the potential consequences desirable or not, of all aspects of therapy before participating. Just as psychotherapy is a powerful force for getting unstuck, it has the potential for miring patients even deeper.

I sometimes encounter patients whose stated reason for therapy is to work through a problem with a difficult situation at their employment, say, an abusive supervisor. During the course of history taking I might discover some significant childhood maltreatment that is not particularly distressing for the patient now. The treatment for resolving that trauma will unleash considerable upset before resolution. Because the patient is not asking for assistance about the trauma and the trauma is not an important factor now, I will let it go. Possession of a tool is not sufficient reason to utilize it.

Personal Success in Accepting Transitions, Loss, and Death: In the prior post I stated the goal of therapy is to get people unstuck. The experiences which get us stuck are denying the reality of transitions, loss, and death. By clinging to the past we cannot move into the future. Because successful therapists have a history of getting unstuck, they are further down the road as able companions to their patients during their adventures. In the end successful therapists have confidence in the process of getting people unstuck and convey that confidence to their patients. Competent therapists are enthusiastic about helping, and they do not shrink from the process or the patients.

Recommended Books: Here are three books which I consider essential reading for any therapist or aspiring therapist.

• Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.
• Give and Take by Adam Grant.
• In the Company of Women: Indirect Aggression among Women: Why We Hurt Each Other and How to Stop by Pat Heim, Susan A. Murphy, and Susan Golant.

I like these books so much that I have both hard and digital copies. I recommend these three titles and authors exactly as I have written them above. In my opinion authors with similar titles provide incomplete reflections of the brilliance of these books and may be capitalizing without adding value.

Ending Thoughts:

• It is worth repeating that ultimately patients heal themselves. Therefore, the mission of a therapist is to facilitate progress.
• Successful therapists come to the field already demonstrating requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities. Graduate school, internships, residencies, fellowships, lifelong continuing education, and most importantly patient success enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Being a successful therapist is not a threshold where one rests on one’s laurels.

I invite your comments.

Warm regards,

Dr. Michael

(The featured image is Grandeur Peak as seen from Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City.)