The 9 attributes a therapy professional should have (according to science).

A review of the competencies and skills that patients need to find in their therapist.

Many authors have been in charge of determining what are the characteristics and characteristics and competencies that a good professional of psychology applied to therapy should possess. applied to therapy.

As we will see, not everything is based on theoretical knowledge of intervention techniques; other more interpersonal aspects have a considerable influence on the success of therapy.

The effectiveness of the patient-therapist relationship.

The practice of the profession of clinical psychologist entails the mastery of two very different types of knowledge. On the one hand, it requires considerable theoretical learning of the different therapeutic intervention techniques that correspond to the psychological current applied by the professional (cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, phenomenological-existentialist, contextual, etc.).

The second type of competence focuses on the internalization of a series of personal skills that will be decisive in the type of therapeutic bond that is established. type of therapeutic bond that is established between patient and psychologist.. Thus, the latter will mark to a significant extent the effectiveness of the treatment carried out. In Lambert's (1986) recognized research on the factors involved in therapeutic success, the following proportion between the different factors involved was found:

1. Extratherapeutic change (40%)

It refers to those aspects specific to the patient and the context in which he/she lives; the personal and social circumstances surrounding him/her.

2. Common factors (30%)

These include the elements shared by all types of therapy, regardless of the psychological current applied. This proportion reflects the quality of the therapeutic relationship between both parties. In this sense, Goldstein and Myers (1986) defend the three main components on which a positive therapeutic relationship should be based: feelings of liking, respect and reciprocal trust between both parties.

3. Techniques (15%)

These relate to the specific components that make up a particular type of therapy. This percentage reflects the interaction between the patient and the theoretical-practical components used by the professional, i.e., how the patient internalizes the methods and contents of the intervention.

4. The placebo effect (15%)

It is linked to the patient's expectations and the credibility that the psychological intervention generates.

Attributes of the professional therapist

As can be seen, a high percentage of the causes that motivate psychological change involve variables that depend on the skills derived from the professional. As Cormier and Cormier (1994) pointed out in their studies, the efficiency of this figure is based on a balance between one's interpersonal skills and those of a more technical nature..

According to the aforementioned authors, the characteristics that an efficient therapist should possess are the following:

Factors favoring the therapeutic relationship

Apart from the aforementioned capabilities, Bados (2011) mentions another series of aspects related to the therapist that facilitate the establishment of an adequate bond between the therapist and the patient:

2. Cordiality

A moderate expression of interest, encouragement, approval and appreciation are related to the establishment of a more favorable work climate. At this point, a balance should also be found in the manifestation of the physical contact emitted, since gestures of this type can be easily misinterpreted by the patient. by the patient.

3. Competence

In this area, both the degree of professional experience of the psychologist and the mastery in the administration and application of the contents included in the specific therapy are determinant. The results of Howard's research (1999) seem to indicate that the mastery of the latter aspect over the former is more associated with a good outcome of the intervention.

Cormier and Cormier (1994) present the following samples of nonverbal behavior as a reflection of professional competence: eye contact, frontal disposition of the body, fluency of speech.The following are also found to reflect professional competence: eye contact, frontal disposition of the body, fluency of speech, relevant and thought-provoking questions, and verbal indicators of attention.

4. Confidence

It seems that this factor depends on the perception generated by the patient. from the combination of phenomena such as: competence, sincerity, motives and intentions, acceptance without value judgments, cordiality, confidentiality, dynamism and security and, finally, the emission of non-defensive responses (Cormier and Cormier, 1994).

5. Attraction

A certain level of perception of the therapist as attractive correlates positively with treatment outcome, as demonstrated by Beutler, Machado and Neufeldt (1994). Such attractiveness is based on the degree of friendliness and cordiality elicited by the professional, as well as the perception of similar aspects of the therapist as attractive.as well as the perception of similarities between the professional and the patient (Cormier and Cormier, 1994).

Actions such as eye contact, frontal disposition of the body, smiling, nodding, soft and modulated voice, signs of understanding, a certain degree of self-disclosure and consensus on the structure of the therapy increase the patient's interest in the psychologist.

6. Degree of directivity

An intermediate degree of directivity or structuring of the therapy is recommended, where a balance can be found in aspects such as the facilitation of the instructions to be followed, the presentation of the contents of the tasks and topics addressed in the sessions, the resolution of doubts or the confrontation of certain ideas of the patient. All this seems to guarantee a certain level of autonomy for the patientas well as the feeling of being guided and supported in the treatment process.

Professional attitudes that help progress

In the 1960s Carl Rogers proposed the fundamental pillars on which the therapist's attitude towards the patient should be based: empathy, unconditional acceptance and authenticity. Subsequently, the skill of active listening has also been considered very relevant.

1. Empathy

This is defined as the ability to understand the patient from the patient's perspective and, very importantly, to know how to communicate this to the patient. Therefore, the therapist must first be competent in understanding cognitions, emotions and behaviors as they would be processed by the patient, not interfering with the professional's perspective. The second point is the one that will really make it easier for the patient to feel understood.

2. Unconditional acceptance

It refers to accepting the patient as he/she is, without judgment, and valuing him/her as a person deserving of dignity. Truax and Carkhuff (1967, cited in Goldstein and Myers, 1986). Several elements make up this type of attitude, such as a high commitment to the patient, a desire to understand the patient, or a non-valuative attitude. a non-valuative attitude.

3. Authenticity

This attitude entails showing oneself as one is, expressing one's feelings and inner experiences without misrepresenting them. Acts such as a spontaneous smile, making comments without double meaning, or the expression of a sincere personal aspect of one's own feelings and experiences. the expression of some sincere personal aspect indicate authenticity. However, an excess of spontaneity is not recommended; it seems to be relevant that personal disclosures by the therapist are oriented exclusively to the benefit of the patient and the therapy.

4. Active listening

It consists of the ability to receive the interlocutor's message (taking into account verbal and nonverbal language), its appropriate processing and the emission of a response that indicates that the psychologist is paying full attention to the interlocutor's message. that the psychologist is paying full attention to the patient. to the patient.

Attitudes that hinder progress in sessions.

Finally, a series of actions have been gathered that can produce the opposite effect and harm the favorable evolution of psychological therapy. This list reflects the main behaviors that the psychologist should avoid showing to the patient:

• To have a dynamic, persistent and energetic attitude in professional practice.
• To show Flexibility in the management of theories, techniques and methods, as well as the acceptance of different styles of practice.as well as the acceptance of different and equally valid lifestyles.
• Act on the basis of a balance between patient support and protection.
• To be guided by constructive and positive motivationsshowing a sincere interest in the patient.
• Have a sufficient level of self-knowledge about one's own limitations and strengths (theoretical and interpersonal).
• Self-perception of sufficient professional competence.
• Resolved internal psychological needs and self-regulation capacity that prevent the interference of personal aspects of the psychologist in the development of the therapy. This phenomenon is known as countertransference.
• Strictly comply with the ethical and moral principles contained in the professional code of ethics (confidentiality, referral to another professional, supervision of the case and avoidance of the establishment of unprofessional relationships between the two parties).
  • Showing insecurity about the interpretation made about the problem consulted.
  • Maintaining a cold or distant attitude, being critical or authoritarian.
  • Asking too many questions.
  • Interrupting the patient hastily.
  • Tolerating and mismanaging emotional expressions of crying by the patient.
  • Desire to be appreciated by the patient and obtaining the patient's approval.
  • Trying to eliminate the patient's psychological discomfort too quickly
  • Unbalancing the approach between simple and more complex aspects of therapy.
  • Avoid dealing with conflicting issues for fear that the patient may emit an intense emotional reaction.
Bibliographical references:

• • Bados, A. and Grau, E. (2011). Therapeutic skills. University of Barcelona. Barcelona.

  • Cormier, W. and Cormier, L. (1994). Interviewing strategies for therapists: Basic skills and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Bilbao: Desclée de Brouwer. (Original 1991).

  • Lambert, M. J. (1986). Implications on psychotherapy outcome research for eclectic psychotherapy. In J. C. Norcross (Ed.), Handbook of Eclectic Psychotherapy. New York: Brunner-Mazel.