As someone who works in the therapy industry, supporting therapists in their professional development, I’m always on the lookout for innovative approaches and techniques that can help clinicians enhance their skills and better serve their clients. Recently, I came across a fascinating study by Chow et al. (2015), published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Psychotherapy, that highlighted the importance of deliberate practice in therapist development. This research got me thinking about how to be a better therapist and the role that experiential therapy training can play in fostering ongoing growth and mastery.
In this insightful video, Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore and Tori Olds delve into the concept of deliberate practice and its application in the therapy field. They emphasize the importance of setting clear intentions, seeking feedback, and engaging in structured learning experiences to continually refine one’s skills. As Jules points out, “Deliberate practice is about being purposeful and systematic in our growth as therapists.”
This message resonates deeply with me and the challenges I’ve observed in the therapy community. Many therapists struggle to find the time and resources for ongoing professional development, and they may feel stuck or plateaued in their skills. In the following sections, we’ll explore some key strategies for becoming a better therapist through deliberate practice, drawing on the wisdom of experts like Jules and Tori. As a professional committed to supporting therapists’ growth, I’m excited to share these insights and help clinicians take their practice to the next level.
Join Juliane Taylor Shore for a FREE 90-minute webinar
Experiential Therapy Techniques: A Neurobiological Approach to Self-Compassion Therapy
During the webinar, you will learn:
A practice to increase self-compassion towards yourself as you do your work so you can both embody and benefit from self-acceptance.
The neurobiological difference between empathy and compassion so you keep use them judiciously in practice.
How to set up experiential practices so clients can discover and experience self-compassion.
The Power of Deliberate Practice
Deliberate practice is a concept that originated in the field of expertise development, particularly in domains like music, chess, and sports. The idea is that to achieve mastery, individuals need to engage in focused, repetitive practice of specific skills, coupled with feedback and self-reflection. In recent years, researchers have begun to explore how deliberate practice can be applied to the field of psychotherapy.
As a semi-side note, Jules and Tori go in-depth on this topic in the innovative new STAIR training (Level 2). I think all therapists can benefit from the diverse experiential and integrative therapy trainings offered in the STAIR certification as a whole. You are warmly invited to check out Self-Trust and Integrated Resilience (Julian Taylor Shore´s STAIR Method).
Key Elements of Deliberate Practice for Therapists
Set clear goals: Identify specific skills or competencies you want to improve, such as active listening or working with a particular client population.
Break it down: Deconstruct complex skills into smaller, manageable components that can be practiced and refined.
Seek feedback: Engage in supervision, peer consultation, or review recordings of your sessions to get feedback on your performance.
Reflect and adjust: Use feedback and self-reflection to identify areas for improvement and modify your approach accordingly.
The study by Chow et al. (2015) found that therapists who engaged in deliberate practice activities, such as reviewing session recordings and seeking feedback from peers, showed greater improvements in client outcomes compared to those who did not.
Cultivating Self-Awareness Through Deliberate Practice
One of the key benefits of deliberate practice for therapists is that it helps us develop greater self-awareness. By intentionally focusing on our own thoughts, feelings, and reactions in the therapy room, we can identify patterns and blind spots that may be impacting our work with clients. As Tori Olds explains:
“Deliberate practice is not just about acquiring new skills or techniques. It’s about developing a deeper understanding of ourselves as therapists and as human beings. When we engage in this kind of self-reflection, we open up new possibilities for growth and healing.”
Strategies for Cultivating Self-Awareness
Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to your own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations during sessions, without judgment.
Keep a journal: Reflect on your experiences in therapy, noting any challenges, insights, or areas for growth.
Engage in personal therapy: Work with a therapist yourself to process your own experiences and gain new perspectives.
A study by Nissen-Lie et al. (2013) found that therapists’ self-reported professional self-doubt, a form of self-awareness, was positively associated with client outcomes, suggesting that a willingness to question oneself and engage in self-reflection can be beneficial for therapists.
The Role of Experiential Learning in Deliberate Practice
Experiential learning is another key component of deliberate practice for therapists. By engaging in hands-on, immersive learning experiences, we can deepen our understanding of therapeutic concepts and techniques, and develop greater empathy and attunement with our clients. As Jules Shore emphasizes:
“Experiential learning allows us to move beyond intellectual understanding and really embody the principles we’re learning. When we engage in practices like role-playing, somatic awareness, or self-compassion, we’re not just acquiring new skills – we’re transforming ourselves from the inside out.”
Benefits of Experiential Learning for Therapists
Increased self-awareness: Experiential learning helps us tune into our own thoughts, feelings, and patterns, both in and out of the therapy room.
Enhanced empathy: By experiencing techniques firsthand, we can better understand our clients’ perspectives and develop greater attunement.
Skill integration: Hands-on practice allows us to integrate new skills and techniques into our existing therapeutic approach, creating a more cohesive and effective style.
A meta-analysis by Buser et al. (2020) found that experiential learning interventions for therapists, such as mindfulness training and self-compassion practices, led to significant improvements in therapist empathy, self-awareness, and self-care, as well as client outcomes.
Putting It All Together: A Deliberate Practice Plan
So how can we put these principles of deliberate practice and experiential learning into action? Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own deliberate practice plan:
Identify your goals: What specific skills or competencies do you want to improve? Be as specific and concrete as possible.
Seek out learning opportunities: Look for workshops, trainings, or online courses that align with your goals and incorporate experiential learning components.
Set aside dedicated practice time: Block out time in your schedule for deliberate practice activities, such as reviewing session recordings or practicing new techniques with a colleague.
Seek feedback and reflection: Engage in supervision or peer consultation to get feedback on your performance, and take time to reflect on your own experiences and insights.
Rinse and repeat: Deliberate practice is an ongoing process, so continue to set new goals, seek out learning opportunities, and engage in self-reflection and feedback.
By following this deliberate practice plan and incorporating experiential learning into your professional development, you can continually refine your skills and deepen your effectiveness as a therapist.
Conclusion
Becoming a better therapist is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, self-awareness, and a willingness to engage in deliberate practice. By setting clear goals, seeking out experiential learning opportunities, and engaging in ongoing feedback and reflection, we can continually refine our skills and deepen our impact with clients. As we navigate the challenges and joys of this work, let us remember the words of Tori Olds: “Deliberate practice is not just about acquiring new skills or techniques. It’s about developing a deeper understanding of ourselves as therapists and as human beings.”
“Deliberate practice is about being purposeful and systematic in our growth as therapists. It’s about setting clear intentions, seeking feedback, and engaging in structured learning experiences that challenge us to stretch beyond our comfort zones. And when we do this in the context of experiential learning, we open up new possibilities for transformation, both for ourselves and for our clients.” – Jules Shore
