HVORDAN UDDANNER MAN EN GOD-NOK PSYKOTERAPEUT?

Abstract

The article deals with training of psychotherapists in a psychoanalytic frame of reference.
Two questions are raised: 1) What are the characteristics of a good-enough psychotherapist? and 2) How can they be taught? In the answer to the first question, Greenson's description of the desirable personal qualities and abilities of the analyst is taken as the starting-point. The author supplies with examples of some professional abilities she has found important through her own work as a supervisor and teacher of psychotherapy. They are: a thorough knowledge of official treatment systems, psychotherapeutic experience with children, skills in evaluation, and consciousness
of the frames and structures around psychotherapy. In the answer to the second question, the usual structuring of psychotherapy-training into theory, personal therapy and supervision is followed. The importance of knowledge of newer developmental theories is stressed in the leaming of theory. Concerning personal therapy, selection of candidates is mentioned, and it is discussed whether psychoanalysis or psychotherapy is the better background for the psychotherapist. In regard to supervision, the tension between the learning of specific methods and the personal development of the trainee is particularly stressed. As an example different attitudes to the teaching of empathy is used. The concept of expertise is applied to the field of psychotherapy. At last the necessity of maintenance of training and competence is emphasized.