25 Practices of Supertherapists

1. Daily reflection on the work they do[1]
2. They often ask: “What went as expected? What could I have done differently? What am I going to do differently next time?
3. They consult with themselves, first
4. They are clear on what they are doing and why they are doing it
5. They have a framework and a system for everything they do
6. They have a How; yet remain flexible to allow room for flexibility and improvisation
7. They know there is always time for everything; and they are responsible with how they use their time
8. They are conscious of how they use their time. They are present and mindful
9. They know when to consult, who to consult, and how to consult[2]
10. They set time aside to read, to discuss cases, and to write
11. They have solid skills in clinical interviewing, the art and science of questioning, and in mental health evaluation
12. They have solid skills in establishing rapport, in engaging their patients, and in establishing trust and safety
13. They have solid skills in doing a History of Present Illness, a History of Mental Health Symptoms, and in Symptom Contextualization
14. They have solid skills in doing a Case Formulation, a Diagnostic Formulation, and in Differential Diagnosis
15. They have solid skills in doing a cultural assessment, a spiritual assessment, and in formulating a comprehensive treatment plan[3]
16. They hone their skills and their craft with much dedication
17. They are continuously working on knowing themselves. They know they have blind spots; and that the best way to uncover them is by going inside, be it through introspection, inquiry, or meditation
18. They know that the ultimate way for patients to end their suffering is through integration. This means becoming connected with their source of wisdom more often than not
19. They know one best way to help their patients is by maintaining a safe place for them to unlearn, relearn, and learn again[4]
20. They know one best way for their patient to learn is by being a model for them[5]
21. They know that all forms of treatment have their place and time. They then become acquainted with as many of them as possible; and they develop at least a working knowledge of the different methods and systems involved in evaluating and treating patients
22. They have developed the wisdom to understand that people will claim to discover new theories, which are already well-known principles that are slightly restated
23. They remain up-to-date and use the latest practice guidelines. However, they remain flexible enough to always put their patients first
24. They set time aside to learn skills like public speaking, writing, speed reading, memory skills, and critical thinking. They know the more they have the more they can give and they cannot give what they do not have
25. They have developed such a high physical and spiritual intelligence[6] to know when to rest just a little bit more, when to take some time off, and when to return to the world with an exponentially fuller force

Now, unto you:

1. Which of these 25 practices is yours?
2. Which ones of them are foreign to you?
3. Which ones would you like to start implementing right away?
4. When would you like to start implementing them?
5. What do you need to get started?

Below is a list of series happening at the Institute that you may find to be helpful and relevant to these 25 practices. Which ones can you commit to attending?

See below and see you soon:

1. Speed Reading for Clinicians, Mondays from 7-8pm (EDT)
2. ​Super Memory Skills for Clinicians, Wednesdays from 7-8pm (EDT)
3. Writing Skills for Clinicians, Thursdays from 10:30-11:30pm (EDT)
4. Public Speaking for Clinicians, Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30pm (EDT)

Also, join us for our virtual conference on CBT for Behavior Change on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 9-1pm

[1] McBeath, Alistair. “The motivations of psychotherapists: An in‐depth survey.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research 19.4 (2019): 377-387.

[2] Rønnestad, Michael Helge, et al. “The professional development of counsellors and psychotherapists: Implications of empirical studies for supervision, training and practice.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research 19.3 (2019): 214-230.

[3] Gilbert, Paul. “Psychotherapy for the 21st century: An integrative, evolutionary, contextual, biopsychosocial approach.” Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 92.2 (2019): 164-189.

[4] Tsai, Mavis, et al. “Creating safe, evocative, attuned, and mutually vulnerable therapeutic beginnings: Strategies from functional analytic psychotherapy.” Psychotherapy 56.1 (2019): 55.

[5] Bellows, Karen F. “Psychotherapists’ personal psychotherapy and its perceived influence on clinical practice.” Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic 71.3 (2007): 204-226.

[6] Al Eid, Nawal A., Boshra A. Arnout, and Ayed A. Almoied. “Leader’s spiritual intelligence and religiousness: Skills, factors affecting, and their effects on performance (a qualitative study by grounded theory).” Journal of Public Affairs 21.1 (2021): e2129.