The First 21 Secrets of Supertherapists

We have written three previous articles in this series.

In the first article, entitled, Becoming a Supertherapist, we talked about the importance and benefits of becoming a Supertherapist.

In the second article, entitled, 7 Revelations to Becoming A Supertherapist, we revealed to you 7 important insights to have as part of becoming a Supertherapist.

And, in the third article, entitled, 14 Characteristics of Ordinary Therapists, we talked about what it is like not to be a Supertherapist; what it is like to be an ordinary therapist; and what an ordinary therapist looks like.

The current article introduces 21 Secrets of Supertherapists:

Secret #1: Supertherapists know that who provides the therapy treatment is a much more important determinant of success than what treatment approach is used.[1]

Secret #2: Supertherapists know that their clients tend to improve at a rate that is at least 50% higher than those of ordinary therapists.

Secret #3: Supertherapists know that their clients drop out at a rate that is at least 50% lower than those of ordinary therapists.

Secret #4: Supertherapists know that medications used in combination with psychotherapy are 10 times more effective with them than with ordinary therapists.

Secret #5: Supertherapists know that as clinicians, they are the catalyst, they are the medicine, they are the placebo, and they provide the space for patients to change the narrative of their lives.[2]

Secret #6: Supertherapists know that they are not made or born.

Secret #7: Supertherapists work harder and wiser at improving their performance than others do.[3]

Secret #8: Supertherapists use failure to improve themselves instead of allowing it to deter them.

Secret #9: Supertherapists keep their goal in mind at all times.

Secret #10: Supertherapists’ one and only goal is always “the best for their patients.”

Secret #11: Supertherapists devote specific time to reach for specific objectives beyond their level of outcomes.

Secret #12: Supertherapists understand that the amount of devoted time specifically to improve the outcomes of their patients is far more important than the amount of time spent with or for their patients.

Secret #13: Supertherapists do not just see patients, they also perfect their skills.

Secret #14: Supertherapists perfect their skills according to the feedback they receive from their patients.

Secret #15: Supertherapists consistently work to meet specific performance targets.

Secret #16: Supertherapists are extremely attentive to feedback.

Secret #17: Supertherapists see each and every aspect of feedback as an opportunity to improve, to then increase their patients’ outcomes.

Secret #18: Supertherapists take time to examine their work, to assess themselves, to reflect on their patients’ feedback of them.[4]

Secret #19: Supertherapists follow up.

Secret #20: Supertherapists know and understand whether they are improving or not and how to improve.[5]

Secret #21: Supertherapists tend to know what they do not know.

Now, unto you:

1. What do you hear?
2. Which of these 21 Secrets of Supertherapists speaks to you the most?
3. Which one catches your attention the most?
4. What would you like to do?
5. When would you like to do it?
6. What is the next step?

Stay tuned for the subsequent articles in this series to continue to learn about the characteristics of the Supertherapists, their secrets, and how to implement them in your own practice. Meanwhile, here’s what you can do:

1. Be one of the first 100 clinicians to send your thoughts on the above inquiries, and you may earn a free 6-month one-on-one coaching session with SWEET. Email us at contact@sweetinstitute.com, Subject Line: 6 Month One-one-One Coaching.
2. Click here to register for one or both of our upcoming Certificate Courses
3. Trauma Treatment Protocol Certificate Course: Click here to join us
4. Loneliness Certificate Course: Click to join us

[1] Owen, J., Drinane, J. M., Kivlighan, M. III, Miller, S., Kopta, M., & Imel, Z. (2019). Are high-performing therapists both effective and consistent? A test of therapist expertise. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(12), 1149–1156. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000437

[2] Nissen-Lie, H. A., Goldberg, S. B., Hoyt, W. T., Falkenström, F., Holmqvist, R., Nielsen, S. L., & Wampold, B. E. (2016). Are therapists uniformly effective across patient outcome domains? A study on therapist effectiveness in two different treatment contexts. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(4), 367–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000151

[3] Kraus, D. R., Bentley, J. H., Alexander, P. C., Boswell, J. F., Constantino, M. J., Baxter, E. E., & Castonguay, L. G. (2016). Predicting therapist effectiveness from their own practice-based evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(6), 473–483. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000083

[4] Wampold, Bruce E., Scott A. Baldwin, and Zac E. Imel. “What characterizes effective therapists?.” (2017).

[5] Duncan, Barry. “On becoming a better therapist.” Psychotherapy in Australia 16.4 (2010): 42-51.