Training of psychotherapists. 1996

J Norcross
Dpt of Psychology, University of Scranton, Pennsyivania, USA.

Psychotherapy training is experiencing conflicting messages: escalating criticism of conventional training at a time of unprecedented success in training competent practitioners. This paradox sets the context for this overview of psychotherapy training. In the first part of the paper, I summarize eight lessons learned in the past two decades on improving training: demonstrate and illustrate psychotherapy; furnish ample and diverse experiences; coordinate the training process; impart technical and interpersonal skills; establish competence; account for individual differences; cultivate respect for empirical research; and evaluate training outcomes. These serve as both sobering lessons from past deficiencies and as continuing challenges for the future of psychotherapy training. In the second part of the paper, I briefly advance several models for training in psychotherapy integration, the mental health zeitgeist of the 1990's and beyond. The net result is not necessarily self-identified eclectic or integrative practitioners, but knowledgeable graduates who will approach patients with an open mind, an insatiable curiosity, and a relentless commitment to confront the complexities of human behavior.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007206 Individuality Those psychological characteristics which differentiate individuals from one another. Individual Differences,Difference, Individual,Differences, Individual,Individual Difference
D007398 Interpersonal Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons. Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D011613 Psychotherapy A generic term for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disturbances primarily by verbal or nonverbal communication. Psychotherapies
D002983 Clinical Competence The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care. Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D003142 Communication The exchange or transmission of ideas, attitudes, or beliefs between individuals or groups. Miscommunication,Misinformation,Social Communication,Communication Programs,Communications Personnel,Personal Communication,Communication Program,Communication, Personal,Communication, Social,Communications, Social,Miscommunications,Misinformations,Personnel, Communications,Program, Communication,Programs, Communication,Social Communications
D003479 Curriculum A course of study offered by an educational institution. Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001296 Audiovisual Aids Auditory and visual instructional materials. Visual Aids,Audio-Visual Aids,Aid, Audio-Visual,Aid, Audiovisual,Aid, Visual,Aids, Audio-Visual,Aids, Audiovisual,Aids, Visual,Audio Visual Aids,Audio-Visual Aid,Audiovisual Aid,Visual Aid
D013664 Teaching Materials Instructional materials used in teaching. Material, Teaching,Materials, Teaching,Teaching Material

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