Training programs for psychologists are often focused on technical proficiency—and the focus on skills and techniques has become intense in recent years with the roll out of ‘manualized’ therapies, high structured protocols that control the interactions between therapists and patients. But overall, research continues to show that it is the quality of the therapist, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship, that drives change and healing. I love Scott Miller’s blog post about this. It’s written for therapists, but I think it’s interesting for patients too. Take home point: if you don’t feel your therapy is working, trust your judgement. Patient’s perceptions are sometimes more accurate than therapists’.
