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A Multidimensional Evaluation of Therapist Behaviour*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Derek Milne
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychology Services, Northumberland Health Authority

Abstract

The difficulty in predicting outcome from therapist behaviour has been attributed to the neglect of some important variables, including the amount and type of therapy, and the skilfulness and interpersonal manner of the therapist. The present study investigated one therapists behaviour in terms of these four dimensions for a random sample of 10 adult outpatients, for whom outcome data were available. Results indicated that the type of therapy was intermediate between prescriptive and exploratory modes, that it was practiced at a satisfactory level of proficiency, and that interpersonal effectiveness was high. The related Clinical outcomes were also satisfactory in relation to the amount of therapy. In addition to illustrating a procedure for evaluating therapist behaviour and showing the correspondence between process and outcome, this “case study” provides evidence to support the need for more objective accounts of therapist behaviour.

Type
Clinical Section
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1989

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