On the shoulders of giants: What we learn from studies on master therapists

Vol.10,No.2(2016)
Psychotherapy competencies and psychotherapist education (thematic issue)

Abstract

This article focuses on the issue of characteristics and competencies of therapists who are considered outstanding in their field – expert therapists. Studies of expert therapists represent a less common approach in the research of what is effective in psychotherapy. First, we describe several methodological approaches used in studies on psychotherapy experts. Then we review studies of two pioneers in this field: Scott D. Miller, who focused on competencies of highly effective psychotherapists based on their real measured effectiveness, and Len Jennings, who focused on qualitative studies of characteristics of peer-nominated master therapists. We conclude the article analyzing benefits and compatibility of results of reviewed studies.

Mária Kahancová, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic e-mail: maria.kahancova@mail.muni.cz

Len Jennings, PGraduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA e-mail: lljennings@stthomas.edu

Tomáš Řiháček, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic e-mail: tomas.rihacek@gmail.com


Keywords:
expertise in therapy; highly effective therapists; master therapists
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