The number of online therapy courses, therapist certifications and psychotherapy trainings in specific techniques and theories are many – endless really. As therapists, we keep studying not only to satisfy continuing education credits (CU’s) for therapy licensure, but also because we of course want to build a successful clinical psychology practice and we think that acquiring more knowledge in our areas of technical and theoretical specialty will naturally lead to a higher level of therapeutic excellence.
Certainly, a clear and well-developed technique is important as a basis for our work. At Therapy Wisdom, we offer leading-edge training for therapists, such as our online courses in trauma therapy training and gender diversity therapy training. We believe in the importance of continued education. However, it may be time to question the fundamental premise that acquired theory and technique in and of themselves create clinical success.
What if becoming a master therapist actually has little to do with learning more theories and techniques?
And what if acquiring more knowledge in a psychotherapy technique we already practice isn’t all that is needed to be a better therapist even within that specific technique?
A common therapist myth we erroneously follow as psychotherapists, according to Tori Olds, Ph.D., who leads our popular online therapist training course Becoming a Master Therapist: A Deliberate Practice Approach, goes like this:
“Finding the best technique or theory, and learning it well, will make me an excellent therapist.”
While many of us follow the belief that a psychotherapy technique or theory can make us a great therapist, the research suggests otherwise. In fact, the research says that which theory you choose doesn’t matter. It also suggests that how accurately you use the model you pick doesn’t seem to make a difference. What’s more important are factors in treatment that are common across theoretical orientations.
One of those key factors is simple: Any technique can only be as effective as the therapist using it.
In Becoming a Master Therapist, Tori goes more in-depth about this and other common factors, while training us how to develop ourselves to the point where we understand how to create a roadmap to truly mastering our craft as therapists.
We are, most of us, well trained in theory and technique. We have many well-earned tools at our disposal. What many of us are missing however, is the training and understanding of how to apply those tools well. We are not often taught methods for deepening our skill at applying our techniques through focused practice – what in performance-related fields is called deliberate practice.
Deliberate practice for therapists is a very important part of growing as clinicians, and it cannot be undertaken during client therapy sessions. That would be akin to a musician practicing minor scales during a live recital, or a basketball player practicing free throws in the middle of a big game. Deliberate practice for psychotherapy professionals, as taught by Tori Olds in her online course for therapists, is the key to mastering the use of whatever theory or technique you choose to apply in your private therapy sessions. Mastering your tools is what leads to excellence as a therapist.
JOIN a FREE Training with Dr. Tori Olds
Introduction to Deliberate Practice in Psychotherapy
In this video series, you will learn:
The essential problem with most other therapy training programs.
Six myths about becoming a more effective therapist.
What Deliberate Practice is and why it is so important
The five steps on the roadmap for clinical excellence
Read along as we debunk the most common therapy myth and give you the CliffsNotes version of deliberate practice for therapists in this helpful online resource for therapists based on material from Tori Olds, Ph.D.
