In our multifaceted world of therapy, we’ve come to recognize that there isn’t a simple definition of what makes a great therapist, nor is there a universal standard for success. Still, we can find commonality in the overarching desires most psychotherapists share. We recently asked a large sampling of professionals who attend our online trainings for therapists to share with us about the areas of their practice that concern and challenge them the most. We´re responding with more tailored offerings, and a series of blog articles addressing the concerns therapists shared.
Who Decides What Makes You a Good or Great Therapist?
As a collective of professionals dedicated to facilitating healing and growth, we understand that the concept of success is as diverse as the mental health professionals we aim to assist. In this guide, we delve into three distinct perspectives on what constitutes success for a therapist, exploring how various elements blend to support our shared goal of fostering positive change. Our aim is to help you narrow down a personalized list of ways you can support yourself better in growing a practice that is as beneficial as you wish it to be.
Success Is Up to You in 2025
We invite you to explore the lists below and consider how confident you feel in each of the overarching gauges of “therapist greatness”, as well as each individual aspect. You can use it as a sort of checklist or survey for yourself. From there, it will be easier to seek out the support you need to grow and deepen your skills in each area you want to prioritize this year.
While at Academy of Therapy Wisdom, we are specialists in online therapist courses, and very much enjoy supporting your success in this way, there are many ways you can get support to help you grow. We think a well-rounded, multifaceted approach is best.
How to Be a Better Therapist
In addition to online and in-person trainings (beyond those that may simply satisfy your CE requirements), it is good to take a broad and diverse approach to improving your skills as a psychotherapist and being a better business person. Consider discussing solutions and ideas with your supervisor, a trusted colleague, or an organized group of supportive peers (have you met the dynamic community of Trauma Wisdom Circle, yet?).
- Training and continuing education for therapy skills and deliberate practice skills
- Working closely with a very experienced supervisor
- Consulting and collaborating with colleagues on challenging cases or sessions
- Sharing with a peer community in a formal setting that fosters growth
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
Three Keys That Contribute to Success In Clinical Practice
Now, let’s dive in to the three categories, and their distinctive aspects that, from our collective experience and insights, epitomize how to be successful therapist. We invite you to explore these points with us, each providing a nuanced understanding of what makes our practice effective and why nurturing each aspect is essential for our professional journey as therapists.
How to Be the Very Best Therapist You Can Be
Therapeutic Environment and Dynamics:
- Foster a Non-Judgmental Environment: Creating a non-judgmental space is essential for clients to feel secure in exploring their deepest thoughts and emotions. When therapists maintain an attitude that accepts and honors clients – whatever form their lives and tendencies take – they are more likely to engage in honest self-reflection and meaningful change. An accepting attitude helps support our clients in being more accepting of themselves, which we know is key to healing.
- Develop Very Clear Boundaries: Establishing and maintaining strong boundaries is crucial for a healthy therapeutic relationship. It ensures a professional environment and helps both therapists and clients understand their roles and expectations within the therapy process. Good boundaries help us relax, and help our clients relax, as it creates more safety in the container.
- Manage the Business Side Efficiently: Efficient management of the business aspects of a therapy practice allows you to focus more on client care and less on administrative tasks like marketing, bookkeeping, and insurance billing. By creating and maintaining systems for repetitive tasks, using all-in-one software solutions, and hiring out your least favorite administrative tasks, you can enhance the quality of the care you provide and reduce your stress level.
- Integrate Somatic Practices in Therapy: Incorporating somatic practices into therapy goes beyond verbal communication, allowing therapists to help clients connect with and understand their bodily sensations. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the self and can be particularly effective in addressing trauma, as it enables individuals to release and process emotions stored in the body.
- Apply “Deliberate Practice”: Deliberate practice in therapy involves intentional and focused efforts to improve one’s skills. This continuous learning and self-improvement process helps therapists become more effective in facilitating client growth and change.
Client-Centered Outcomes
- Build and Maintain Rapport: Establishing a strong rapport is fundamental to effective therapy. Good rapport helps build a foundation of trust and mutual respect, which is crucial for clients to feel comfortable and supported throughout their therapeutic journey. We can support this from the very first interaction by relaxing our need to understand, diagnose, and problem solve. Rapport starts with seeing our clients as people and listening with curiosity and openness first.
- Enhance Cultural Competence: Therapists who cultivate cultural competence can offer more personalized and respectful care. Better understanding and empathizing with the unique challenges related to a client’s cultural background through participating in therapist-led diversity and inclusivity training, can positively influence the therapeutic process, allowing for interventions that are more sensitive to and better aligned with the client’s values and experiences.
- Client Empowerment and Progress: Focusing on tangible improvements in several areas of clients’ lives is a common standard for measuring success. Continue to check in and include updates on relationships, self-image, health, work, and home in your notes, as well as their exits and entrances to therapy sessions for clues as to their healthy progress.
- Get Competent in Helping Diverse Clients: Competence in working with diverse populations is essential in today’s multicultural, gender diverse, and neuro diverse society. Therapists need to understand and address the unique challenges and experiences of clients from various backgrounds and with a variety of orientations to provide effective and inclusive care.
We can no longer rely on referring clients out to “specialists” when there are so many who need good help. Working with gender diverse clients, is especially important, as most of us identify as a gender, express gender, and experience the gender of others in diverse ways. Consider boosting your gender
Personal and Professional Growth
- Deepen Your Empathy & Active Listening Skills: Empathy and active listening form the cornerstone of a therapeutic relationship. When therapists genuinely empathize and listen, clients feel understood and valued, fostering a safe environment where they can openly share their experiences and feelings.
- Stay Up-to-date on Research: Therapists who stay informed about current research and evidence-based practices can provide the most effective and scientifically supported treatments to their clients, ensuring high-quality care. This can also help boost confidence in yourself and your methods. It may even prove helpful to share some studies or statistics in some clinical situations, if it can support your client´s growth and healing.
- Seek Mentorship: Mentorship offers therapists a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners. It can enhance your skills, offer new perspectives, and support your professional growth and development. An experienced mentor/supervisors can be a valuable sounding board for challenging cases, help dispel self-doubt, and keep you oriented to the bigger picture of your trajectory in clinical practice and our helping profession in general.
- Practice Self-Care: Therapists must prioritize their own well-being to be fully present and effective in their work. While personal wellbeing practices outside of the office like meditation, yoga, good nutrition, exercise, and more, are important. We encourage you to keep space open between clients so that you can refresh yourself throughout the day. Engaging in self-care practices helps prevent burnout and ensures that therapists can continue to provide compassionate care.
- Offer Flexibility and Stay Creative: Adaptability in therapeutic approaches ensures that therapy is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Flexibility can enhance client engagement and the effectiveness of therapy, as it allows for adjustments based on the client’s evolving needs and circumstances. It is best not to lock yourself into a narrow set of modalities, but rather, to keep expanding your exposure to a range of therapy techniques.
Reflecting and Creating a Plan For Improvement
In navigating the ever-evolving landscape of therapy, remember that your growth as a therapist is as unique as the clients you serve. The journey is yours to shape, informed by your values, your aspirations, and the specific needs of those you assist. Whether through therapist training courses or other continuing education, collaboration with peers, or deepening your own self-awareness and care, the path to being the therapist you aspire to be is rich with possibilities.
We encourage you to reflect on the insights shared here, to engage with them in a way that feels authentic and aligned with your own vision of success. May this exploration be a stepping stone to further growth, as you continue to enrich your practice and, most importantly, the lives of those you touch.
Thank you for joining us in this exploration of how to be a great therapist. Your dedication to personal and professional development is a testament to the profound impact we can have on the world, one client at a time. Here’s to your continued success and fulfillment in the vital work you do.
Academy of Therapy Wisdom collaborates with today’s leading experts to create and deliver innovative and relevant online therapy training for mental health professionals that you can access live or on demand. Visit our homepage to learn more about our current and most popular free trainings, full courses, and certifications.
