Inside the consulting room of a highly effective therapist: An analysis of first sessions

TY - JOUR

T1 - Inside the consulting room of a highly effective therapist: An analysis of first sessions

AU - Caçador, Sílvia

AU - Sousa, Daniel

AU - Cooper, Mick

PY - 2023/10/16

Y1 - 2023/10/16

N2 - AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to capture the most salient aspects of first‐session activities by a therapist who consistently had good clinical outcomes.MethodConstructivist grounded theory was used to analyse the first three audio‐recorded psychotherapy sessions with two clients.ResultsThe analysis generated 12 categories organised into three major domains: (a) promoting clients' sense of agency and the collaborative nature of the therapeutic process; (b) supporting clients' exploration of meaningful contents, balancing responsively between following clients and introducing new dimensions; and (c) creating a climate of emotional security based on empathic presence, authenticity and positive regard.ConclusionsThe results show key aspects of the therapist's performance, such as distinguished clinical skills, responsiveness and strong relational abilities. The results support the literature on highly effective therapists. They also contribute to practice and psychotherapist training. Domains and categories from this study may be the basis for a checklist of some essential features to be included in psychotherapists' deliberated practice programmes.© 2024, Wiley. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

AB - AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to capture the most salient aspects of first‐session activities by a therapist who consistently had good clinical outcomes.MethodConstructivist grounded theory was used to analyse the first three audio‐recorded psychotherapy sessions with two clients.ResultsThe analysis generated 12 categories organised into three major domains: (a) promoting clients' sense of agency and the collaborative nature of the therapeutic process; (b) supporting clients' exploration of meaningful contents, balancing responsively between following clients and introducing new dimensions; and (c) creating a climate of emotional security based on empathic presence, authenticity and positive regard.ConclusionsThe results show key aspects of the therapist's performance, such as distinguished clinical skills, responsiveness and strong relational abilities. The results support the literature on highly effective therapists. They also contribute to practice and psychotherapist training. Domains and categories from this study may be the basis for a checklist of some essential features to be included in psychotherapists' deliberated practice programmes.© 2024, Wiley. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.

KW - Applied Psychology

KW - Clinical Psychology

KW - Psychiatry and Mental health

U2 - 10.1002/capr.12705

DO - 10.1002/capr.12705

M3 - Article

SN - 1473-3145

VL - 24

SP - 681

EP - 691

JO - Counselling and Psychotherapy Research

JF - Counselling and Psychotherapy Research

IS - 2

ER -