Traits of an Effective Therapist
Table of Contents
Traits of an Effective and Good Therapist
In a world where anyone with or without accreditation can claim to be a therapist, how do you know if you have an effective or good therapist?
You will be surprised to know that many ‘Traditionally Trained Therapists’ achieve limited success in long term positive outcomes for clients. On the opposite side of the spectrum, you have the ‘Effective Therapist’. What is the difference between the two? What makes a good therapist stand out?
In this article I will often use the term Higher order reality to highlight the discrepancies between what an effective therapist is able to achieve and how a traditionally trained therapist only scrapes the surface of.
Recognizes the Importance of Higher Order Reality
Higher order reality is a state of expanded awareness on how we perceive and organise information, this state is achieved by the client with the help of an effective therapist who facilitates the combining of a client’s subjective experience with an objective reality which allows for the establishment of higher order thinking, this is the foundation for learning, independent long-term growth and signs of an effective therapist.
The traditionally trained therapist creates the conditions for mental deterioration by establishing a dynamic between client and therapist that limits learning and growth by having a preoccupation on discussing irrelevancies and conveying unwarranted suggestions which is not just wasteful, but a workable practice of insanity.
Promotes Curiosity, Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
The effective therapist creates a dynamic which allows curiosity and exploration for clients to critically think, organise information and act in congruence with feedback from reflecting on their own previous experience.
A traditionally trained therapist operates by their own frame of reference, by doing this they undervalue information offered by the client. Therapy no longer becomes about helping the client reach a higher order reality where learning and growth takes place but instead becomes about defeating them, until out of desperation, or compliance follows prescribed mental health recommendations, resulting in a frail conditioning, where one simply awaits a presenting stimulus, adheres to instruction, or only until catastrophe hits before acting.
Facilitates Broader Perspectives and Self-Discovery Over Prescribed Solutions
The effective therapist creates higher order reality by allowing the client to transcend the limitations of their own mindset by creating conditions where the desire to learn and see issues in a broader context is possible. This is one of the main key signs of a good therapist is their ability to facilitate broader perspectives and self-discovery. The distinction between the desire to learn and following a prescribed regime is the difference between rates of growth and self-efficacy.
The traditionally trained therapist has been proven to achieve limited success in their approaches, because their conditioning therapies only incorporate an objective reality where treatment is polarised as black or white and lacking in collaboration between the client and therapist. In life when you encounter a difficult problem and have an overwhelming amount of information, ask yourself, is the therapist helping you sort through it and find your own meaning, or are they using their own frame of reference to interpret on your behalf?
Focuses on Holistic Engagement to Foster Self-Awareness and Motivation
What works in therapy and what doesn’t? American Psychologist Michael Lambert proposed the four main factors of therapeutic change are as follows. 40% extra therapeutic change factors (recovery qualities of the client and environment that exists outside of therapy), 30% the therapeutic alliance, 15% therapy techniques, 15% Hope.
The effective therapist works holistically to engage clients to expand self-awareness, think critically, and inspire motivation and hope to become their own agents of change.
Summary:
In this article, we’ve talked about the traits of effective therapists versus traditionally trained ones. We found that the key to positive outcomes is with the help of an effective and good therapist that focuses on fostering curiosity, promotes self-reflection, and encourages clients to view issues from a broader perspective.
Effective therapists facilitate a higher order reality, helping clients grow and become agents of change. Lastly, the right therapist focuses on a holistic, collaborative approach, prioritising long-term growth and self-awareness to guide clients on their personal journey.
Choose the Right Therapist for Your Growth
To any person seeking to engage in therapy ask yourself, what kind of therapist would you prefer to work with, and to all practitioners what therapist would you like to become?
Your path to a better tomorrow starts with the right therapist. Want to work with therapists who prioritise your growth? Want to know how to find the right therapist?
Reach out to Activ8 Mind today and start working with only the best and most reliable therapists in Adelaide and Melbourne who genuinely care. We offer Psychology, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, and Positive Behaviour Support to guide your growth.
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