On Becoming a Better Therapist: Evidence-Based Practice One Client at a Time

by Barry L. Duncan

How can therapists become better at doing what they love, avoid burnout, and prevent client dropout? Respected therapist, trainer, and researcher Barry Duncan asserts that getting better at this work requires therapists to dedicate themselves to two key tasks: obtaining systematic client feedback and taking charge of their own development as a therapist.

This book describes his Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS), an evidence-based method that provides systematic feedback from clients, thereby enabling therapists to identify and target clients who aren't responding to traditional treatment before they drop out. Duncan examines the common factors inherent to all successful therapies and details the importance of the therapeutic alliance as the foundation of effective therapy. He encourages therapists to expand their theoretical breadth, think deeply about the lessons they learn from their clients, and integrate these lessons into their performance. His highly readable book details a five-step plan to take charge of personal and professional development, stave off disenchantment, and remain a vital force for change in clients lives.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every therapist, no matter your discipline!

[Cheryl Van Dyke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would probably only be beneficial for the therapist who is very data driven.

[Taryn Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A a practitioner I have conflicting views about Duncan's approach. Which he has a lot of wisdom to share in this book for practitioners both young and old, I don't agree with his complete reliance on rating scales. Especially when he describes times when he outright ignores the client's wishes.

[BVC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per la precisione è un "come implementare il Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS) per monitorare meglio la propria performance nell'intervento".

[culley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly about formally gathering feedback from therapy clients. Formal or otherwise, it is clear that client feedback is essential. There are good reasons to believe that if it isn't formal it doesn't happen - therapists get lazy and do not solicit feedback if it isn't built into the process. That said, having clients fill out forms at the beginning and ending of every session doesn't feel right to me, outside of big agency settings.

[Wade Fuqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every therapist needs to read this book, regardless of their training background. Duncan shares a very clear process for working with all clients and monitoring client progress. The Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale are simple measures, and when used in therapy are incredibly powerful. I have been using this process for about 6 weeks now and I will not turn back.