BT12 Topical Panel 07 – Person of the Therapist - Scott Miller, PhD, John Norcross, PhD, ABPP, Wendel Ray, PhD, Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW, LCSW

Description:

Educational Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast clinical philosophical perspectives of experts.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Person of the Therapist: Introduction and Importance

• John Norcross emphasizes that the therapist’s personality significantly affects treatment outcomes (5–9%).

• Critiques the trend of reducing therapists to interchangeable service providers.

• Stresses presence, skills, and personal therapy as essential to therapist development.

Reflective Practice and Avoiding Dichotomies

• Wendell Ray Scott Miller urges therapists to examine their biases and stay present in the therapy moment.

• Draws from the Palo Alto group’s focus on present-centered therapy.

• Encourages ongoing self-reflection and identity formation as a therapist.

Therapist Personality as a Predictor of Success

• Scott Miller discusses how therapist personality, not just techniques, predicts outcomes.

• Highlights David F. Ricks’ study showing better results from therapists with strong relational qualities.

• Advocates studying top performers and using outcome data to guide improvement.

Personal Experience and Model Fit

• Michele Weiner-Davis shares how her parents’ divorce shaped her therapeutic values.

• Stresses choosing a therapy model aligned with personal beliefs and preferences.

• Reflects on how her own therapy experiences revealed the impact of therapist personality.

Therapist Self-Care

• Norcross warns of burnout due to low reimbursements, client drops, and insurance denials.

• Advocates organizational and individual focus on therapist well-being.

• Miller recounts early influences (e.g., Virginia Satir) who emphasized self-care.

Training Effective Therapists

• Miller calls for a “flight school” approach: skill drills, simulations, and varied practice.

• Endorses using video review and supervision as core training tools.

• Norcross stresses the need to teach relational basics and measure real-world effectiveness.

Personal Therapy and Supervision

• Norcross and Miller stress personal therapy as a powerful growth tool for therapists.

• Highlight the value of clinical supervision and video review in ongoing skill development.

• Encourage active pursuit of feedback and reflection.

Client Preferences and Responsiveness

• Norcross explains that demographic matches (gender, culture, etc.) don’t guarantee better outcomes—unless clients strongly prefer them.

• Importance lies in therapist responsiveness to expressed client needs.

• Therapists should honor preferences when voiced and remain adaptable.

Community and Group Practice Support

• Miller promotes group supervision and community-based practices to combat isolation.

• Emphasizes peer support and shared learning to improve performance.

• Suggests collaboration helps therapists refine their methods and stay grounded.

Identifying and Learning from Top Therapists

• Miller shares research using outcome metrics to identify high-performing therapists.

• Encourages use of standardized tools to measure client progress.

• Stresses continuous development, feedback, and learning from effective practitioners.