1. On becoming a better therapist
BARRY DUNCAN
Most therapists aspire to become better at what they do. However, research has shown that
personal therapy has nothing to do with outcome; there are no therapeutic approaches, strategies
or interventions shown to be better than any other; professional training and discipline do not
matter much to outcome; there is no evidence to show that continuing professional education
will improve effectiveness; and, although it defies common sense, experience does not improve
outcomes either. So what does ‘professional development’ mean and how do we accomplish it?
In this edited extract from his recent book, On Becoming a Better Therapist, BARRY DUNCAN
explores how we can remember our original aspirations, continue to develop as therapists, and
achieve better results more often with a wider variety of clients.
A s unsophisticated as it sounds,
most of us got into this business
because we wanted to help people, and
personal therapy has nothing to do
with outcome.
Our quest for the ‘Holy Grail’ does
and methods are also effective—
eye-movement desensitization and
reprocessing, cognitive therapy
most of us carry an inextinguishable not help us either—our search for that without exposure, hypnotherapy,
passion to become better at what special model or technique that will, psychodynamic therapy, and present-
we do. Despite our good intentions, once and for all, defeat the psychic centered therapy. What is remarkable
unfruitful encounters with clients, dragons that terrorize our clients. here is the diversity of methods that
combined with the confusing The ‘right approach’, be it crafted by achieve about the same results. Two
cacophony of ‘latest’ developments, ‘masters’ of the field, or a meticulously of the treatments, cognitive therapy
can weigh on us and steer us into ruts, researched evidence-based treatment, without exposure and present-centered
making us forget why we became or the everyday garden variety, doesn’t therapy, were designed to exclude any
therapists in the first place. How can matter much to outcome. Not one therapeutic actions that might involve
we remember our original aspirations, approach has ever shown it is better exposure (clients were not allowed
continue to develop as therapists, and than any other (Duncan, Miller, to discuss their traumas because that
achieve better results more often with a Wampold & Hubble, 2010). invoked imaginal exposure). Despite
wider variety of clients? The famous dodo bird verdict, “All the presumed extraordinary benefits
Call me cynical, but the field is have won and all must have prizes”, of exposure for PTSD, the two
not really sure what professional invoked by Saul Rosenzweig in 1936 treatments without it, or in which
development means or how we can to illustrate the equivalence of outcome it was incidental (psychodynamic),
accomplish it. We are often told that to among approaches, is the most were just as effective. This study
develop ourselves as psychotherapists replicated finding in the psychological only confirms that the competition
requires us to become more self-aware literature. A recent example is provided among the more than 250 therapeutic
through personal therapy. This makes by treatments for the diagnosis du schools remains little more than the
a lot of intuitive sense and to gain an jour, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder competition among aspirin, Advil and
appreciation of what it is like to sit in (PTSD). Cognitive Behavioural Tylenol. All of them relieve pain and
the client’s chair seems invaluable. But Therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated work better than no treatment at all.
a look at probably the best source, The to be effective and is widely believed Although the need and value of
Psychotherapist’s Own Psychotherapy to be the treatment of choice. Benish, training seems obvious, it has long
(Geller, Norcross & Orlinsky, 2005), Imel and Wampold (2007) have been known that professional training
reveals that the cold hard truth is that shown via meta-analysis that several and discipline do not matter much
while therapists rave about its benefits, approaches with diverse rationales to outcome (Beutler et al., 2004). A
42 PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010
3. increased mastery, and gradual Developmental Center, a euphemism but never with a client, and I am kinda
surpassing of past limitations. for the state hospital. Tina was like freaked out about it.” Tina whispered,
Therapists like to think of themselves a lot of the clients—young, poor, “Sure,” and put her clothes back on.
as getting better, over time, at what disenfranchised, heavily medicated, Although Tina struggled with the
they do. Eighty-six per cent of the and on the merry-go-round of testing and clearly was not enjoying
therapists, regardless of career level, hospitalizations—and, at the ripe old herself, she completed it. I was so
reported that they were ‘highly age of 22, a ‘chronic schizophrenic’. appreciative of Tina’s help that I told
motivated’ to pursue professional I gathered up the battery of tests I her she really pulled me through
development. There is no other was attempting to gain competence my first real assessment. She smiled
profession more committed to with, and was on my merry but nervous proudly, and from then on smiled every
getting better at what they do. At a way to the assessment office, a stark, time she saw me.
personal level, it is important for the run-down room in a long-past-its- Tina started my psychotherapy
development of each therapist to know prime, barrack-style building that journey and offered up my first lessons
they have this commitment. reeked of cleaning fluids over-used to for consideration—authenticity matters
The second influence is the cover up some other worse smell, the and when in doubt or in need of help,
therapist’s sense of theoretical breadth. ‘institutional stench’. On the way, I ask the client. Asking clients for help,
The capacity to understand clients couldn’t help but notice the looks I was soliciting their feedback about the
from a variety of conceptual contexts getting—a smirk from an orderly, a benefit of therapy allows you to use
enhances the therapist’s flexibility wink from a nurse, and funny-looking the empirical evidence about therapist
in responding to the challenges of smiles from nearly everyone else. My growth without falling prey to the
clinical work. Possessing a range of curiosity piqued, I was just about to pitfalls of a therapist-centric view of
understandings of client problems ask what was going on when the chief outcome.
allows therapists to experience Healing psychologist, a kindly old guy, put his Feedback can, by itself, improve
Involvement more often with more hand on my shoulder and said, “Barry, your outcomes substantially. Consider
clients. you might want to leave the door open”. a recent investigation of client feedback
The third, and by far most powerful, And I did. I conducted with colleagues in Norway
influence of Healing Involvement is the I greeted Tina, a young, extremely (Anker, Duncan & Sparks, 2009). This
therapist’s sense of currently experienced pale woman with short brown, cropped study, the largest randomized clinical
growth. Therapists like to think of hair, who might have looked a bit trial (RCT) of couple therapy, found
themselves as developing now. Your like Mia Farrow in the Rosemary’s that clients who gave their therapists
ongoing experience of professional Baby era had Tina lived in friendlier feedback about the benefit and ‘fit’ of
development is therefore critical to circumstances. To begin, I introduced services on two brief, four item forms,
becoming a better therapist. Therapists myself in my most professional voice. the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and
with the highest levels of current Before I could sit down and open up the Session Rating Scale (SRS), reached
growth showed the highest levels of my test kit, Tina started to take off clinically significant change nearly
Healing Involvement. The experience her clothes, mumbling something four times more than non-feedback
of current growth translates to positive indiscernible. I just stared in disbelief. couples (both measures available
work morale and energizes you to Tina was undaunted by my dismay free for individual use at www.
continue professional reflection—so and quickly was down to her bra and heartandsoulofchange.com). Moreover,
that you keep the ‘pedal down’ on the underwear when I finally broke my the feedback condition maintained its
developmental process. Your sense silence and said, “Tina, what are you advantage at the six-month follow-up
of current growth keeps you vitally doing?”. Tina responded not with and achieved a 46% lower separation/
involved in the work itself. words but actions, and removed her divorce rate, leading to the national
Now the astute reader might be bra as if it had suddenly become made adoption of the ORS and SRS in
thinking: “Wait a minute…Isn’t Healing of wool and very uncomfortable. So Norway.
Involvement just more therapist self- there we were, a graduate student, And this study is not a fluke! The
delusions about how effective they are?” speechless, in his first professional findings with the ORS and SRS have
Yes, it would be if it wwere not for encounter, and a client sitting nearly been replicated in two independent
the other person who is critical to naked. Tina was mumbling loudly and RCTs (Reese, Norsworthy &
psychotherapy outcome—the client. incoherently, contemplating whether Rowlands, 2009; Reese, Toland, Slone
We need their help to ensure our to stand up to take her underwear off & Norsworthy, in press). Moreover, our
Healing Involvement translates to their or simply continue her mission while feedback system builds on the extensive
benefit. sitting. pioneering research of Michael
In desperation I pleaded, “Tina, Lambert who has conducted five RCTs
We need our client’s help
would you please do me a big favor?”. using the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2
While I often don’t remember where She looked at me for the first time, (OQ ) as the feedback tool. Lambert
I leave my glasses, I still vividly recall and said, “What?”. I replied, “I would and colleagues, time and time again,
my first client, Tina. I was in my initial really be grateful if you could put your have shown that systematic feedback
clinical placement in graduate school clothes back on and help me get through significantly improves outcomes, and
at the Dayton Mental Health and this assessment. I’ve done them before, doubles treatment effectiveness for
44 PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010
4. clients who would otherwise be headed Scale (or any other reliable and valid therapeutic change than model and
for treatment disaster (Lambert, 2010). measure) into an Excel file. Then, track technique. A recent investigation of
Continuous feedback individualizes outcome over time with calculations the therapists in the famous Treatment
psychotherapy based on treatment available in Excel: average intake of Depression Collaborative Research
response, and provides an early and final session scores; number of Program highlights this point (Kim,
warning system to identify ‘at-risk’ sessions; dropout rates; average change Wampold & Bolt, 2006). Clients who
clients thereby preventing drop-outs score (the difference between average received sugar pills from the top third
and negative outcomes. Systematic intake and final session scores); and, most effective psychiatrists achieved
client feedback also provides the means ultimately, the percent of your clients better outcomes than clients prescribed
to accelerate your development.
Track your cumulative career
development—getting
... therapist effects account for six to
better all the time? nine times more impact on therapeutic
Therapists like to think of
themselves as getting better over time, change than model and technique.
but the only way to know is to collect
outcome data. Routine collection of who reach a reliable or clinically antidepressants from the bottom third,
client feedback about the benefits of significant change—a statistical metric least effective psychiatrists. Who
therapy that they experience allows defined by your chosen measure (on delivered the treatment mattered more
you to plot your cumulative career the ORS, a reliable change is 5 points than what they were delivering, even
development, so you know about your and a clinically significant change with drugs!
effectiveness, and importantly, so you is a 5 point change that also crosses What accounts for the variability
can implement and evaluate strategies the clinical cutoff of 25). The percent among therapists? There is one good
designed to improve your outcomes. of your clients who benefit is your possibility and one no-brainer that
Finding out how effective, or not, benchmark—the number you are separate the best from the rest. In a
you really are can be risky business. trying to increase by taking action clever investigation that conducted
You might learn something you might about your development. minute-by-minute analysis of therapist-
not want to learn. But the only way to Simply plot your effectiveness by client interactions, Gassman and
get better is through feedback about each block of 30 or more clients. These Grawe (2006) found that unsuccessful
where you are now versus where you calculations provide a detailed snapshot therapists focused on problems and
would like to be—to aspire for the best of your growth over time. You will see neglected client strengths, while
results, and proactively get them. It whether your efforts are paying off, successful therapists focused on their
does take courage, but so did walking and if your chosen methods to increase clients’ resources from the start. As for
into a room for the first time with your benefit to clients needs to be the no-brainer, research consistently
someone in distress—and so does tweaked or changed outright. Excel shows that the alliance accounts for
doing it day in and day out. does most of the calculations for you the lion share of therapist variability.
Need some encouragement to and there is also software (ASIST; visit Therapists who form better alliances
consider this? In our Norway Feedback http://www.clientvoiceinnovations. across clients, not just the ‘easy ones’,
Study (Anker et al., 2009), we found com/) and web options (http://www. have better outcomes. These two
that tailoring therapy based on client MyOutcomes.com) available that make areas, what Gassman and Grawe
feedback improved the outcomes of it easy. They do involve some cost (and called ‘resource activation’, and securing
nine of the ten therapists. Feedback ethically I am bound to inform you strong alliances with more clients
seems to act as a ‘leveler’ among that I benefit financially from both of represent the best ways to accelerate
therapists, raising the effectiveness of these options). your development. Remember, though,
lower or average therapists to that of Once you know your baseline whatever recipe you chose to improve
their more successful colleagues. In effectiveness level, you are ‘ready your outcomes, ‘the proof of the
fact, a therapist in the low effectiveness to rock’. It is fine to put time into pudding is in the eating’.
group without feedback became the learning models and techniques,
therapist with the best results with Heroic stories
but it may make sense to invest your
feedback. This heartening finding efforts in areas that will bring you Resource activation does not mean
suggests that regardless of where you the biggest return. What are those ignoring pain, being a cheerleader, or
start in terms of your effectiveness, you areas? One way to understand this glossing over tough issues. Rather, it
too can be among the most successful is to look at the variation among requires that you listen to the whole
therapists if you take charge of your therapists—we all know that some story—what I like to call the ‘heroic’
development. therapists are better than others. Who story. Human beings are complex and
Tracking your career development the therapist is exerts a powerful have multiple sides, depending on who
need not be complicated or expensive. influence on outcome, second only to is recounting them and what sides
You can begin by simply entering client factors—therapist effects account are emphasized. The folklore of our
scores from the Outcome Rating for six to nine times more impact on field has drawn us toward the more
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010 45
5. pathological account as the only or best Barry: “So it’s like there is this inner society, a leader, an inner warrior who
version. It is neither. warrior that wants to come out, you’d be controls his impulses. Clients’ heroic
Consider these comments from able to take charge of that situation, to stories pave the way for change by
Sam, a very distressed young man: contribute in that situation.” showcasing abilities and making them
“I’ve been in a lot more physical pain Sam: “I feel like I would be a good leader.” available for use.
lately…No one wants to be around me Barry: “What keeps you from killing your Consider Sam’s concluding
because of my mental illness…My desire to stepfather?” statements:
self injure has been higher... My financial Sam: “The only things keeping him Sam: “Somehow I’ll find a way to give
situation is out of control…My dreams alive are my fear of getting caught and back to society. It may not be today or
have been increasingly violent toward my own personal realization that I am tomorrow but someday, because I am
my stepfather, his mental torture is not sure killing him would make me feel pretty young and have a lot of time to
constant, telling me that I am never going any better…I am so full of rage when it figure out how I can make society better
to amount to anything…and that I am comes to him. He screwed up all our lives. and it doesn’t have to be the end of the
worthless and do everything wrong. It’s Everything he touches is destroyed. I world.”
hard to argue with him because here I am, almost feel like it’s my responsibility to take Several therapies that focus on
I amounted to nothing, he’s right…And him out of the world so he can’t do any resource activation or are ‘strength
I fantasize about it every day, different more harm. But then I would have to do based’ offer a plethora of ways to
ways of just crushing him...And I feel harm to do that and I can’t do that because inquire about, recruit, harvest and
just hopeless…and half the time I am it’s against my religion.” enlist client competencies; solution
fighting to survive and half the time I am Barry: “A couple of things occur to me. focused, narrative, client-directed,
wondering if I should just stop fighting… One is that it’s really not surprising that positive psychology, to mention a few.
Part of me hopes that the whole system you are struggling now, there are a lot Find ways that fit your own therapeutic
will collapse, that society itself will just of low spots in your life, a lot of shit has style to help you ‘activate’ client
fold. I am depressed now and the rest of happened in the past, a lot of animosity resources. For example, a question that
the world is normal. Take an event that directed at your stepfather, a lot of bad comes from a narrative tradition and
would depress anyone. And then being things have happened to you, to wake up is a good fit for me is, “Who in your life
depressed would be normal so in a way every day and feel like you are a leech on wouldn’t be surprised to see you overcome
the whole world would come to my level of society, your identity, this inner warrior the problem before you now?”.
depression so I wouldn’t be abnormal.” never able to be expressed, all this stigma Consider Yolanda, a young woman
There are stories of self harm and that goes along with the mental disability, I saw the day after child protective
suicidal ideation, of homicidal ideation, the physical pain, being in a financial services (CPS) removed her children
and apocalyptic fantasies. Are these hole, there is a lot of stuff conspiring to because Yolanda started using ‘crack’
accounts the only or truest ones of make you feel very bad about yourself. again. CPS was not the bad guy here—
Sam’s identity as a human being? As On the other hand, while I believe that’s there was a contract and Yolanda
you read the excerpts below, consider true, simultaneously not only do you violated it when she started using
the following questions: have this inner warrior aspect of you, again. One story about Yolanda was
• what are the obvious and that leadership, knowing that there is a that she was the crack-addicted mother
hidden strengths, resources lot more to you that this society at this who had her kids removed by CPS. A
and resiliencies? time allows you to express, there are also strength-based approach suggests this
• what are the competing stories all these other things about you that are is not the only story that can be told,
of Sam’s identity? very impressive. You are really a savvy and is not the one that best reflects
• what is present that can be guy, you’re smart, you have a dry sense who Yolanda really is and what she
recruited to solve the problems? of humor, we didn’t laugh much but you brings to the table.
Sam: “I am one of those leeches on society. said a lot of things that were funny. And At our first meeting, Yolanda was
I am a negative person. I take away. I you have a little bit of a twisted way of devastated—teary, lethargic and she
think that is one of the reasons why I want looking at things and that’s very funny had an understandable ‘edge’. Far worse
to see it all come apart.” and I think that’s a real strength you was that she barely said anything and
Barry: “Well, no wonder. It would be have. You know a lot of stuff about a lot of didn’t even look at me. Here were two
like a new beginning if everything came things—you’re bringing a lot to the table, people who couldn’t have been more
apart—you would have a fighting chance not the least of which is your insight about different from one another—Yolanda
to have a different kind of life. Right now your stepfather and your ability to control was an impoverished 21 year-old
you don’t see any hope for a different kind yourself.” African American woman whose world
of life to be possible.” Many stories have emerged. While was just split wide open, and me, an
Sam: “Right, I feel I could contribute to a the story of Sam’s problems—suicidal/ old middle class white guy without a
society that had decayed to the point where homicidal ideation, depression and care in the world, relatively speaking.
it would need my contribution. I just feel self-loathing—was real, this story was So I asked a question to see if I could
I would be really good in a situation like not the only one and not the most get to Yolanda’s resources.
that. I could lead a small rag tag band of representative of his identity. There was Barry: “Yolanda, who in your life
warriors to lead attacks on the machines or another tale of a remarkably reflective wouldn’t be surprised to see you stand up
bad guys.” man who wants to contribute to to this situation, stop using crack and do
46 PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010
6. what CPS wants so you can get visitation ultimately led to regained custody of (Orlinsky, Rønnestad & Willutzki,
of your kids back?” her children. 2004). Despite this, however, naysayers
Yolanda: (Long pause). “Well, my Uncle will dismiss the alliance by saying the
Reliance on the alliance
Charlie wouldn’t be surprised.” research is only correlational. Even
Barry: “If Uncle Charlie was here, what Although much ignored, it is a fact more damning, they say we don’t know
story would he tell that would inspire in that the alliance is our most powerful which comes first, client experience
me the same confidence he has in you?” ally and represents the most influence of a strong alliance or client report of
Yolanda: “Uncle Charlie liked to tell the we can have over outcome—and is change or benefit—the classic chicken
story of when I used to visit him over the also the quickest way to accelerate
summer with all my other cousins. One
summer when I was six or seven, my ...your client’s perception of
cousins and I ran further into the forest
than we had ever gone before. We were empathy is more powerful than any
running full blast over a ravine and I
stepped in quicksand and pretty quickly
technique you can ever wield.
sank to my waist and was slowly sinking.
We were way out in the woods and my our development. Do not give the or the egg question. Our recent alliance
cousins ran all the way back to get my alliance short shrift! I know this is study of 500 clients (Anker, Owen,
uncle who rushed to get me, which seemed challenging—the alliance is not sexy Duncan & Sparks, 2010) directly
to me to be about forever later. Thinking in comparison to ‘the miracle cure’. But addressed this question. The alliance
that I would already be dead, Uncle the alliance is not the anesthesia before significantly predicted outcome over
Charlie was so relieved to see me that he surgery—it’s not the stuff you do until and above early benefit, demonstrating
cried for joy—by that time I had sunk you get to the real therapy. We do not that the alliance is not merely an
up to my neck. He never stopped talking offer Rogerian reflections to lull clients artifact of client improvement, but
about when he found me. I was calm into complacency so we can stick the rather a force for change in itself.
and collected and just as still as I could real intervention to them! Embrace it and put it high on your
be—somehow I instinctively knew not to The alliance is probably best developmental priority list. Monitor
struggle or make a move. He always told conceptualized as an all-encompassing your alliance with clients, expand your
me and everybody else what a trooper I framework for psychotherapy—it repertoire of relational skills, and track
was. Uncle Charlie would not be surprised transcends any specific therapist your cumulative career development
by my ability to deal with this stuff. He behaviour and is a property of all to see if it matters. I think it will. The
always told me if I could deal with that aspects of providing services (Hatcher alliance is your craft. Practice well the
situation as a kid, I would be able to deal & Barends, 2006). The alliance is skills of your craft. At some point,
with anything in my life.” evident in anything and everything you your craftsmanship elevates to art.
Uncle Charlie was right. There were do to engage the client in purposive Investigate multiple ways to practice
many other stories about Yolanda that work, from offering an explanation your alliance skills and consider your
could better capture her humanity and or technique to scheduling the next growth as a therapist to be parallel
showcase her resources. For instance, appointment. to the development of your relational
when she stood up, under great peril, You have to earn the alliance—it’s repertoire.
to her crack-dealing, abusive partner, not given to you, you have to put There are many ways to understand
and left him and the crack house yourself out there with every person, alliance skills as well as many available
behind. Despite his continued stalking every interaction, and every session. It systems to improve your relational
and threat of violence, Yolanda acted is a daunting task—don’t underestimate abilities, from classic Rogerian to
to protect her children. In addition, it. addressing alliance ruptures, to
under all this duress, she chose to quit Let’s put the alliance in perspective. specific models that are attentive to
crack—and did so for 17 months until The alliance accounts for five to relational aspects, such as motivational
a combination of events persuaded seven times the amount of variance interviewing. One way to think of
Yolanda to relapse. So there was a of outcome attributed to model and your relational responses, as an overall
crack-addicted mother who lost her technique. Although there is a lot backdrop, is the concept of validation.
kids, and there was the heroic mother of talk about what distinguishes Validation reflects a genuine acceptance
who stood up to abuse to protect her therapists, the most definitive thing of the client at ‘face value’ and includes
children, and had made good choices we know about what makes some an empathic search for justification of
for 17 months regarding her crack use. therapists better than others is their the client’s experience in the context of
With these resources and resiliencies to ability to secure a good alliance across trying circumstances—that they have
work with, and Yolanda now engaged a variety of client presentations and good reason to feel, think and behave
in the beautiful thing we call therapy, personalities (Baldwin, Wampold the way they do. Validation helps them
my job was easy. Yolanda started going & Imel, 2009). There are over 1000 breathe a sigh of relief and know that
to NA again, worked with CPS and process-outcome findings that blame is not a part of our game—we
me to complete their requirements, support the association between a are on their team.
and started supervised visitation that strong alliance and positive outcome
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010 47
7. Validation combines two robustly delivery system—the client-therapist So how do we broaden our
empirically demonstrated aspects relationship. If technique fails to theoretical horizons? First, pay
of the relationship—empathy and engage the client in purposive work, it attention to those theories that make
unconditional positive regard. A review is not working properly and a change is sense to you—that fit your own views
of the research (Norcross, 2010) in needed. of human nature, problems and
the second edition of The Heart and Here is where the variety of solutions. Expand what you already
Soul of Change (Duncan et al., 2010) models and techniques pays off. know. Add explanations and methods
confirms what you already know. While there is no differential efficacy from approaches that are similar to
Regarding empathy, a meta-analysis among approaches in general, there is the one you already practice e.g., if you
of 47 studies found an effect size (ES) differential efficacy among approaches are solution-focused then it is likely
of .32. To put this in perspective, the with the client in your office now. The narrative ideas would be an easy stretch
ES of model and technique differences question is: does the approach resonate of your skills.
is only .20. So your client’s perception or not? Does its application help or Next, listen to your client’s ideas
of empathy is more powerful than any hinder the alliance? Is it something and throw your self-consciousness to
technique you can ever wield. With that both you and the client can get the side—let the client’s theory be
respect to positive regard, when clients behind? your theory with that client (Duncan,
rate outcome, 88% of studies find a Your alliance skills are truly Solovey & Rusk, 1992). Tailoring
significant relationship between client at play here—your interpersonal your approach to your client’s ideas
experience of positive regard and a ability to explore the client’s ideas, provides opportunities to expand your
successful conclusion of therapy. Carl discuss options, collaboratively form theoretical breadth. This may not be
Rogers was on to something! a plan, and negotiate any changes easy to do if the client’s ideas rub you
Consider Sam again. After hearing when benefit to the client is not up the wrong way. For example, at
all the things troubling him and his forthcoming. Technique, its selection one time, I was biased against any
desire to see the end of world, these and application, in other words, are historical expedition into client’s
were my first comments: instances of the alliance in action. This lives. I was rigid in my thinking and,
“Makes a lot of sense. Another way process of exploration can also help you while I didn’t know it, I’m sure I lost
of saying that would be that anyone expand your theoretical breadth. plenty of clients as a result. Until one
experiencing what you are—if they day a young woman, Claire, told me
Theoretical breadth—what the
were in pain, just came out of surgery, that she had been sexually abused as
eclectic/integrationists have
were in a financial hole they couldn’t get a child and that she wanted to pursue
been telling us all along
out of, and didn’t have anything going therapy based on a Courage to Heal
socially, anybody on the planet would be Another important influence on framework, a popular approach back in
depressed, anybody walking in your shoes Healing Involvement is your theoretical the eighties. I bristled immediately and
would be depressed, and anybody would breadth. Therapist allegiance to any offered to refer her to therapists who I
be struggling with whether or not they particular theoretical content involves knew did ‘that kind of work’.
wanted to live.” That’s a long way to say, a trade-off that enables and restricts But Claire didn’t take my refusal.
“No wonder you are depressed”. options. Theoretical loyalty provides She told me that a close friend of hers
These comments replaced the self- a clear direction but is inherently had seen me, and she was convinced
invalidations (“I’m a leech, a negative limiting—‘cookie cutter therapy’ is I was the person for the job. Claire
person, etc”), and the invalidations of safer to do, but is only useful for a asked, “Couldn’t you at least look at the
others (bizarre thinking, etc). When portion of the people you see. book and give it a try?”. Essentially, she
clients feel validation, different We probably, at most, can hold only shamed me into stepping outside of
conclusions can be reached and two or three systems of therapy in our my comfort zone, and it was incredibly
alternative actions can emerge. Sam heads at one time. However, we can rewarding. We followed the workbook,
sighed and relaxed, knowing I was use far more successfully if we open I shared my concerns along the way,
in his corner and the next exchange ourselves to Jerome Frank’s classic and Claire benefited greatly from the
further clarified why he wanted an observation that what is important work—her own idea of how she could
apocalypse as well as his recognition of about a model is not their inherent be helped. Her toughest task was to
his leadership ability. truth across clients, but rather a get me on board. The ‘Courage to Heal’
Securing a good alliance also entails rationale for the client’s problem and a approach provided a rationale for
agreement about the goals and the ritual to solve it. Knowing all models Claire’s experience of problems, and a
tasks of therapy—what you are going can be ‘boiled down to’ an explanation remedy to address them. Claire helped
to work on and how you are going to and remedy makes them easier to get me to learn that theory only has value
do it. In an important way, the alliance a handle on and try out. This is in in the particular assumptive world
is dependent on the delivery of some contrast to the arduous requirement of the participants—the client and
particular treatment—a framework of two years of intensive supervision therapist—and that theory need not be
for understanding and solving the often portrayed as necessary in order to ‘true’ across clients; rather, any theory
problem. There can be no alliance understand or implement an ‘approach’ needs only to be valid with this client in
without treatment. On the other hand, (but you might want to keep that to my office now.
technique is only as effective as its yourself).
48 PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010
8. Finally, be proactive in adding permit you to squeeze all the learning As we develop as therapists, it is
theoretical dimensions to your work. out of each situation. useful to contemplate both our identity
Become familiar with many ways of Note any changes or new and how we describe what we do—to
understanding problems and solutions. behaviours with clients, then put a define, edit, refine, expand, or outright
Play ‘on the other hand’ games with magnifying glass on them, and strive change it altogether. This helps to keep
your colleagues in supervision and to understand how you were able our growth clearly in focus and enables
client conferences. When someone to ‘pull it off’. Recognize that these us to compare our current descriptions
presents an explanation about a client instances depict a new chapter in your to earlier accounts. Our belief in what
difficulty, encourage everyone to development as a therapist. Perhaps we do, or what researchers call our
present alternative myths and rituals. you did something for the first time ‘allegiance’ to our chosen ideas and
You can then turn the discussion with a client, or a light went on and practices, is a powerful mediator of
toward the description that represents you now understand something in a positive outcome. Given the impact of
the better fit with the client. Talking different way. When you articulate our expectations and beliefs, it makes
with your colleagues about varied what is different about your work, sense to describe our work in ways we
rationales and remedies will benefit you make it more real, and are more can believe in and that do not restrict
everyone’s work. It is also fun and likely to continue it in the future and our flexibility. Anything that keeps
allows an appreciation that models have it impact your outcomes. The our development on the front burner
offer only metaphorical accounts of Norwegian therapist who became will help us stay vitally involved in the
how people can change, not the truth the most effective in our study noted work—which is what it takes to get
with a capital ‘T’ or what clients must several things that feedback brought better.
do to change. to her work, as well as what she had
The treasure chest
learned from her experiences with
Currently experienced growth— The ‘Treasure Chest’ started out as a
clients—the value of clarity and focus,
what have you done for me lately? file into which I put clients’ unsolicited
of shared responsibility, purpose and
Critical to therapists’ perceptions true collaboration, and importantly, communications about the work I did
of their development is their currently she gained a sense of security and the with them—their feedback, usually
experienced growth. Therapists like to courage to take risks. well after therapy had ended. Over
think of themselves as developing now, Don’t take it lightly when you do time, the Treasure Chest offered a
but where does this sense of growth something different. Talk to your way to buffer burn out, a momentary
come from? According to Orlinsky and colleagues and reflect upon your sanctuary from the downsides of the
Rønnestad, the most widely endorsed actions in terms of your development work, when the requirements of the
influence was practical learning and identity. system bring you down, or when you
through therapists’ experiences with see several clients in a row that aren’t
clients. Not workshops and books You do what? benefiting much, or when a client story
trumpeting the latest and greatest. I used to avoid the question of what hits home in a particularly painful way.
Rather, almost 97% of therapists I did for a living like the plague. I It’s the place to escape tough times
reported that learning from clients didn’t like saying I was a psychologist and reconnect to the work, to why you
was a significant influence on their or a therapist and hearing remarks like, became a therapist in the first place.
development. In truth, beyond cliché, “Are you going to psychoanalyse me?”, Consider Adam, a young man
therapists do believe that clients are the or other harmless looks or comments who spent his eighteenth birthday
best teachers. people give or say ‘off the cuff’. I in prison for gang violence, but was
How do we put those hard earned didn’t like it because I didn’t have an released soon after as part of an early
lessons to work for us and our authentic way to describe what I did parole program. He was mandated to
outcomes? It starts with separating that captured what being a therapist therapy and I saw him as a favour to
your current clients into two piles— meant to me. I knew the medical the probation officer who had been
those who are benefiting and those model didn’t do it for me—I never a student of mine. Adam was a long
who are not. Reflect on your clients saw clients as patients with illnesses time member of the skinheads. I wasn’t
who are changing and how you are who require treatment from an expert sure I could work with Adam, not
contributing; also consider your clients administering powerful interventions. because of his record or gang status or
who are not improving and how you I wasn’t sure until I tried to articulate because he was a scary looking dude,
are therapeutically handling these answers to these questions: What is but rather because he was openly
tough circumstances—we can do your identity as a therapist? How do racist and regularly spewed hate-filled
our best work in these challenging you describe what you do? At your very comments. In amazing ways I had
situations. The idea is to proactively best, what role do you play with your never heard, Adam strung together
consider the lessons clients are teaching clients? What recent work with a client obscenities and slurs with an alarming
us, and to reflect on their importance represents the essence of your identity, passion—about me (I was a lackey for
to our development as well as our illustrating what you embrace most the other side), the probation officer (an
identity as therapists. Your reflections about what you do (Duncan & Sparks, African American woman), and about
and discussions with colleagues and 2010)? everyone else who wasn’t dedicated
supervisors, as well as clients, will to white supremacy. But somehow,
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010 49
9. therapy worked its magic with Adam most about being a psychotherapist, a narrative accounts of the clients who
and me. Over time, Adam’s intellect narrative account of my development as taught you the most.
and compassion pulled him out of a therapist told through my experiences If you got into this business, like
the indoctrination of hate that had with clients. Tina was one of those me and the majority of therapists I
dominated his life. He became curious stories. Some have appeared in previous meet, because you wanted to help
about my attitudes about African issues of Psychotherapy in Australia. people, you already have what it takes
Americans, Jews and Hispanics when The pre-requisite to accelerating to become a better therapist. It boils
he learned that I grew up not far your development is your down to two things. The first is your
from where he did—a serendipitous understanding that you are a primary commitment to forming partnerships
shot in the arm for our work. Our figure in each client’s ultimate with clients to monitor the outcome of
conversations deepened and ultimately outcome—the client is certainly the services you provide. The second is
challenged the lies embedded in hate central, but as the old saying goes, your investment in yourself, your own
and prejudice. Adam, an introspective ‘it takes two to tango’. Your view of growth and development. Systematic
man, took these discussions to heart, your growth impacts your ability to client feedback provides the method for
and began to let go of his racist be involved deeply in the therapeutic both. Your love of the work provides
background and understand how process. The first step is to track your the rest.
poverty and despair set the context cumulative career development and
References
for his beliefs. He moved out of the take it on as a project. Proactively
Anker, M., Duncan, B., & Sparks, J. (2009).
neighborhood where the spectre of monitor your effectiveness in service Using client feedback to improve couples
gang life was inescapable, and moved of implementing strategies to improve therapy outcomes: A randomized clinical
on in other ways as well. your outcomes. Practice the skills of trial in a naturalistic setting. Journal of
About six months after I had your craft and monitor your results. Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(4),
written a letter in support of Adam’s Next, deliberately expand your 693–704.
enlistment in the Army, I received this: theoretical repertoire and loosen Anker, M., Owen, J., Duncan, B., & Sparks,
“Hi Barry, your grip on the inherent truth value J. (in press). The alliance in couple
I wanted to write you and let you know of any given approach. Plurality of therapy: Partner influence, early change,
and alliance patterns in a naturalistic
what was happening and to say thanks. perspective serves you and your clients. sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
As you know I fulfilled the obligations of Most importantly, pay close attention Psychology.
my parole and joined the Army (Thanks to your currently experienced growth.
Benish, S., Imel, Z. E. & Wampold, B.
for the letter!). I just made corporal and Take a step back, review your current E. (2007). The relative efficacy of bona
things are going well for me. I am told clients and consider the lessons you fide psychotherapies for treating post-
that I am sergeant material and I intend are learning. Empower yourself, like traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis
to take college courses when I get stationed you would your clients, to enable the of direct comparisons. Clinical Psychology
Review, 28, 746–759.
after infantry training. But what I really lessons to take hold and add meaning
wanted to tell you about was my barracks. to your development as a therapist. Beutler, L. E., Malik, M., Alimohamed, S.,
The Army has lots of different kinds of Articulate how client lessons have Harwood, T. M., Talebi, H., Noble, S., et al.
(2004). Therapist variables. In M. J. Lambert
people. In fact, I am the minority here. changed you and your work, and what
(Ed.), Bergin and Garfield’s handbook of
Most of the guys in my unit are black or it means both to your identity as a psychotherapy and behavior change (5th
Hispanic. And that’s the thing I wanted helper and to how you describe what it ed., pp. 227–306). New York: Wiley.
to tell you. I see their uniform first before I is that you do. Continuing that theme,
Clement, P. W. (1994). Quantitative
notice whether they are white or not. I see reflect on your identity and construct a evaluation of more than 26 years of
them as my team and I will watch their story of your work that captures what private practice. Professional Psychology:
backs like I know they will watch mine. you do as a helper. Continue to edit Research and Practice, 25(2), 173–176.
My best friend in my unit is a Mexican- and refine your identity and accounts Duncan, B. L. (2010). On becoming
American guy from Texas. We have had of what constitutes the essence of a better therapist. Washington, DC:
some great discussions about racism and your work—evolve a description American Psychological Association.
he came from a real poor background, you can have allegiance to but that Duncan, B., Miller, S., & Wampold, B., &
probably even worse than me. He has gone doesn’t lead to dead ends. Finally, Hubble, M. (Eds.) (2010). The heart and
through some real hard times with white to keep your development in the soul of change: Delivering what works
people. viewfinder, collect client notes, cards, in therapy (2nd ed.). Washington DC:
American Psychological Association.
So, thanks Barry. Thanks for not and letters about your work with them
giving up on me, for putting up with my as well as client stories that mark Duncan, B., Solovey, A. & Rusk, G. (1992).
bullshit, and for seeing that I was capable significant events in your growth as a Changing the rules: A client-directed
approach. New York, NY: Guilford.
of something different.” psychotherapist—the Treasure Chest.
These unsolicited notes, letters, Helping you re-remember why you Duncan, B., & Sparks, J. (2010). Heroic
clients, heroic agencies: Partners for
and cards have sustained me in tough became a therapist, opening this file
change (2nd ed.). Ft. Lauderdale, FL:
moments as a therapist. Over the enables an escape from the pressures HSCP Press. www.heartandsoulofchange.
years, I added another dimension to and disappointments of the daily grind com
my Treasure Chest file, my reflections of being a therapist. Chronicle your
about the clients who taught me the development as a therapist through
50 PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010
10. Gassman, D. & Grawe, K. (2006). General outcome. In B. L. Duncan, S. D. Miller, B. Garfield’s handbook of psychotherapy and
change mechanisms: The relation E. Wampold, & M. A Hubble (Eds.), The behavior change (5th ed., pp. 307–390).
between problem activation and resource heart and soul of change. Delivering what New York, NY: Wiley.
activation in successful and unsuccessful works (2nd ed., pp. 239–268). Washington,
Reese, R., Norsworthy, L. & Rowlands,
therapeutic interactions. Clinical DC: American Psychological Association.
S. (2009). Does a continuous feedback
Psychology and Psychotherapy, 13, 1–11.
Norcross, J. (2010). The therapeutic model improve psychotherapy outcomes?
Geller, J., Norcross, J. & Orlinksky D. relationship. In B. L. Duncan, S. D. Miller, Psychotherapy: Theory, Research,
(Eds.). (2005). The psychotherapist’s B. E. Wampold, & M. A Hubble (Eds.), The Practice, Training, 46, 418–431.
own psychotherapy: client and clinician heart and soul of change. Delivering what
Reese, R. J., Toland, M. T., Slone, N. C.,
perspectives. New York, NY: Oxford works (2nd ed., pp. 113–142). Washington,
& Norsworthy, L. A. (in press). Effect of
University Press. DC: American Psychological Association.
client feedback on couple psychotherapy
Hatcher, R. L., & Barends, A. W. (2006). Nyman, S., Nafziger, M., & Smith, T. (2010). outcomes. Psychotherapy: Theory,
How a return to theory could help alliance Client outcomes across counselor training Research, Practice, Training.
research. Psychotherapy: Theory, level within a multitiered supervision
Sapyta, J., Riemer, M., & Bickman, L.
Research, Practice, Training, 43, 292–299. model. Journal of Counseling and
(2005). Feedback to clinicians: Theory,
Development, 88(2), 204–209.
Kim, D. M., Wampold, B. E. & Bolt, D. M. research, and practice. Journal of Clinical
(2006). Therapist effects in psychotherapy: Orlinsky, D. E., Rønnestad, M. H. (2005). Psychology, 61(2), 145–153.
A random effects modeling of the NIMH How psychotherapists develop: A study of
TDCRP data. Psychotherapy Research, 16, therapeutic work and professional growth. Acknowledgments
161–172. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association. Copyright 2010 by the American
Lambert, M. (2004). Bergin and Garfield’s Psychological Association. Adapted
handbook of psychotherapy and behavior Orlinsky, D. E., Rønnestad, M. H., & with permission: Duncan, B. (2010). On
change (5th ed.). New York, NY: Wiley. Willutzki, U. (2004). Fifty years of process Becoming a Better Therapist. Washington,
-outcome research: Continuity and DC: American Psychological Association.
Lambert, M. (2010). Yes, it is time for
change. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin and
clinicians to routinely monitor treatment
AUTHOR NOTES
BARRY DUNCAN PsyD, is a therapist, trainer and researcher with over 17,000 hours of clinical
experience. He is the director of the Heart and Soul of Change Project, a practice-driven training and
research initiative that focuses on what works in therapy, and more important, on how to deliver it
on the front lines via client-based outcome feedback. Dr. Duncan has over 100 publications as well as
15 books to his credit, including The Heroic Client, Brief Intervention for School Problems, and the second
edition of The Heart and Soul of Change. He is the co-developer of the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS),
Session Rating Scale (SRS), Child ORS, and Child SRS, measures designed to give clients the voice
they deserve, as well as provide clients, clinicians, administrators, and payers with feedback about the
client’s response to services, thus enabling more effective care tailored to client preferences.
Comments: barrylduncan@comcast.net
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN AUSTRALIA • VOL 16 NO 4 • AUGUST 2010 51
