HVAD GØR EN GOD PSYKOTERAPEUT »GOD«?

Perspektiver fra empirisk forskning

Abstract

This paper attempts to answer the question, which characteristics contribute to make a good therapist »good«, from an empirical point of view. At first, the magnitude of the »therapist factor« in psychotherapy is estimated from quantitative research reviews (so called »meta-analyses«) and compared with other psychotherapeutic variables. Then, research on therapist variables, and on effective versus less effective therapists is reviewed. Finally, some studies are examined which try more precisely to establish the respective contributions of therapist relational and technical skills to
processes and outcomes of psychotherapy. It is concluded that therapist relational skills generally play the most important role in psychotherapy. However, scientifically based treatment programs achieve the best results for some symptomatic disorders. Results from psychotherapy research raise doubts on the value of some aspects of traditional psychotherapeutic education.