On Becoming a Better Therapist

by Barry L. Duncan

Most of us became therapists because we wanted to be helpful to other human beings, and most of us carry an inextinguishable passion to become better at it. But how do we get better? The truth is that although we are painfully aware that some clients clearly don't benefit while others inexplicably end therapy, we don't know how effective we really are or what we can do to improve our outcomes. Despite our hard work and good intentions, unfruitful encounters with clients combined with the confusing cacophony of "latest" developments can weigh on us, steer us into ruts, and make us forget why we became therapists to begin with. How can we remember our original aspirations, continue to develop as therapists, and achieve better results, more often, with a wider variety of clients? In how can you become a better therapist?

On Becoming a Better Therapist answers these questions and more. Barry Duncan pragmatically applies the common factors of change as well as the powerful benefits of client feedback described in the The Heart and Soul of Change to demonstrate how to be even better at what you do best and, at the same time, expand your effectiveness with clients who may not respond to your usual efforts.

In the first book to detail the clinical nuances of using feedback to improve outcomes, Duncan presents a simple, five-step method of integrating outcome management with therapists' long-term professional development. With lively case examples unfailing good humor, and a deep affection for therapy and therapists, Duncan's book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to rediscover purpose in their work and become a better therapist.

Feedback pioneer Michael Lambert says, "The possibility and novelty of Duncan's ideas makes this an important and provocative contribution to the field."

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

211 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every therapist, no matter your discipline!

[Cheryl Van Dyke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would probably only be beneficial for the therapist who is very data driven.

[Taryn Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A a practitioner I have conflicting views about Duncan's approach. Which he has a lot of wisdom to share in this book for practitioners both young and old, I don't agree with his complete reliance on rating scales. Especially when he describes times when he outright ignores the client's wishes.

[BVC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per la precisione è un "come implementare il Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS) per monitorare meglio la propria performance nell'intervento".

[culley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly about formally gathering feedback from therapy clients. Formal or otherwise, it is clear that client feedback is essential. There are good reasons to believe that if it isn't formal it doesn't happen - therapists get lazy and do not solicit feedback if it isn't built into the process. That said, having clients fill out forms at the beginning and ending of every session doesn't feel right to me, outside of big agency settings.

[Wade Fuqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every therapist needs to read this book, regardless of their training background. Duncan shares a very clear process for working with all clients and monitoring client progress. The Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale are simple measures, and when used in therapy are incredibly powerful. I have been using this process for about 6 weeks now and I will not turn back.