"Perfect Psychotherapist". Who Wants To Test Themselves?

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

When I first got acquainted with J. Kottler's trilogy "Being a psychotherapist / Imperfect psychotherapist and the perfect psychotherapist" I could not tear myself away, because in these books there was a lot that was in tune with my practice. In general, the essence boils down to the fact that analyzing the research and practical work of colleagues, as well as his personal experience, the author examines the cases and reasons for successful and not so successful therapy, regardless of the direction in which the therapist works. Of course, there are many controversial points and questions without a clear answer, since each psychotherapeutic direction has its own nuances and specifics. At the same time, completing his reflections, Kottler suggests analyzing his style of work and offers his vision of the "ideal" to which it makes sense to strive. I printed out this list of competencies for myself and periodically glance at it with the aim of introspection of myself, as a specialist in those elements that I consider to be really important. Perhaps it will be interesting for you too.

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The proposed list allows you to characterize the degree to which you have a particular quality on a scale in accordance with ratings from "Very typical" to "Completely uncharacteristic" for your style of work. In addition, if necessary, you can exclude from the list those items that have nothing to do with your therapeutic style, or those that you do not consider important (“Not Relevant”). Unlike small tests from Reader's Digest or other magazines, there is no need to calculate the number of points in order to compare yourself with colleagues. The main purpose of this self-assessment assignment is to highlight aspects of your professional functioning that will help you further improve your effectiveness as a psychotherapist. Study each item on the list carefully. Which of the following answers would you choose in each case?

Very typical for me.

To some extent typical for me.

I doubt that this is typical for me.

Not very much like me.

Very unlike me.

It is completely not typical for me.

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Predominantly used therapies

I encourage open expression and exchange of opinions.

I keep the client interested, motivated and willing to take an active part in therapy.

I am forging a productive therapeutic interaction.

I have an impact on the processes of perception and awareness in clients.

I encourage clients to explore the unknown.

I encourage clients to accept themselves.

I maintain positive expectations.

I encourage independence and autonomy.

I provide opportunities to try out new ways of thinking and acting.

I assist clients with assignments designed to achieve therapy goals.

Personal qualities

I am selflessly dedicated to my work.

I am an example of a dynamic, energetic and respected professional.

I am confident in my ability to help.

I certainly accept clients, even if I selectively accept certain types of their behavior.

I appear calm, unperturbed in front of clients, it is easy to communicate with me.

I have a developed intellect and common sense, which allows me to understand the meaning of words and behavior of people.

I inspire confidence.

I give the impression of being authentic and responsive.

I radiate warmth and care for other people.

My words and behavior show respect for clients as they deserve it.

I readily admit my mistakes and omissions.

I persist in encouraging clients to take risks.

I fully accept myself and feel good in my physical form.

I appear in the form of an attractive person whom others would like to imitate.

I do not allow myself to satisfy my own needs during the sessions.

I am ready to acknowledge and work through my own unresolved issues.

I readily accept help or seek advice when I find myself in a difficult situation.

Internal processing of information

I have flexible thinking.

I feel confident when it comes to solving complex and ambiguous problems.

I have an efficient, easily accessible storage system.

I have the ability to identify connections between seemingly independent behaviors.

I can make assumptions about future or past behavior based on the client's current functioning.

I am familiar with many disciplines and have a wealth of knowledge from which to borrow metaphors.

I am sensitive to nuances in behavior, as well as the underlying unspoken feelings.

I have the ability to spot patterns in a sea of conflicting information.

I use flexible cognitive approaches that promote growth and evolution.

I am accurate and perceptive in my perception of "reality." My clinical judgments are always well founded.

I have the ability to see the essence of complex phenomena.

I have the ability to identify multiple causal relationships of the same phenomenon.

I have a good sense of critical moments in which intervention is required.

Procedural skills

I exhibit a high level of empathic resonance.

I am able to enter into conflict and challenge without defensiveness.

I can distinguish and reflect feelings. I summarize the client's experience accurately and accurately.

I reinforce the client's adaptive behaviors and suppress self-harm.

I rarely use self-disclosure, but it is effective.

I use role exchange techniques to train clients to get the most out of therapy for themselves.

I provide clients with effective support and encourage them in every possible way.

I correct obvious distortions of reality in client statements or behavior.

I accurately and fully interpret the information that is embedded in the behavior of clients.

I set the boundaries of acceptable behavior in sessions in accordance with the goals of therapy.

I have good technical communication and assistance skills.

Familiarity with this list, of course, can be puzzling at first, especially when you consider that these are not all factors that affect the effectiveness of therapy. Nevertheless, critical self-esteem will allow the therapist to identify his greatest strengths and weaknesses as a specialist. Finally, looking through the list, one should not forget about those who think that they have discovered the only correct path in psychotherapy, and not only for themselves, but also for everyone else.

;)

J. Kottler "The Perfect Psychotherapist. Dealing with Difficult Clients"