4 fundamental therapeutic skills in psychology

A summary of the characteristics and basic therapeutic skills of psychologists.

Psychotherapy, according to the Spanish Federation of Psychotherapists Associations (1992), consists of a scientific treatment of a psychological nature that promotes the achievement of changes in the way of acting, physical and psychological health, coherence and integrity of identity and well-being of both collectives and individuals.

Its effectiveness lies in the therapeutic change that allows the patient to live his or her life in a more functional and healthy way. What factors promote this change?

Numerous studies indicate that the quality of the therapeutic alliance, which is the relationship established between the patient and the therapist. relationship established between the patient and the therapist in therapy, is the most robust predictor of treatment, with the type of therapy used being less important as it does not present significant differences between them, since they are fundamentally moderated by contextual and relational factors.

Thus, different characteristics, attitudes and therapeutic skills are more robust predictors of treatment, different characteristics, attitudes and therapeutic skills are particularly relevant to the effectiveness of the intervention. Which are the most important?

Characteristics of the therapist

Among the personal characteristics of the professional that favor change in their patients of their patients, the following stand out.

• CordialityExpressing (verbally and non-verbally) interest, appreciation, encouragement and approval for the patient.

• Competenceability to help people solve their problems and improve their self-confidence.

• Confidencepatient's perception that the therapist will work to help him/her, without deceiving him/her or trying to harm him/her.

• AttractionThe first is especially influential in the initial phase of therapy, while the second is much more important throughout the entire process. The former is especially influential in the initial phase of therapy, while the latter is much more important throughout the whole process.

• DirectivityThe degree to which the therapist gives instructions, delimits tasks, asks questions to obtain information, provides information and feedback... Both too much and too little directivity are negative in therapy.

Essential therapeutic skills

The fundamental attitudes for the establishment of the therapeutic alliance are active listening, empathy, unconditional acceptance and authenticity.

1. Active listening

Listening is fundamental in therapy as it encourages patients to talk about themselves and their problems, increasing the possibility of understanding them and encouraging them to be responsible for their process of change, seeing the therapist as a collaborator in the process. therapist as a collaborator rather than an expert..

Active listening involves three activities: receiving the message (through verbal, nonverbal and vocal communication and attitude), processing the information (knowing how to discriminate what is important and establish its meaning) and issuing listening responses.

2. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand people's thoughts and feelings from their own frame of reference. It involves attending to what is manifest and also to what is latentIt involves understanding and grasping the meaning of the emotional, cognitive and behavioral implications beyond what is expressed. In addition, it requires knowing how to communicate to the other person that we understand him/her.

Some empathic strategies are: active listening (previously defined), clarification (formulation of questions to know what the patient expresses), use of paraphrases, synthesis and recapitulations (collecting and capturing the ideas previously expressed by the patient) and reflection (collecting and capturing the emotional component presented).

3. Unconditional acceptance

Accepting the patient as he/she isvaluing him/her without judging him/her.

Among the components of unconditional acceptance are: commitment to the patient (interest and willingness to help him/her), effort to understand him/her and non-judgmental attitude.

4. Authenticity

Authenticity implies being oneself, communicating one's feelings and inner experiences. The therapeutic situation requires knowing what to say or express, how and at what time so as not to harm the patient or the therapeutic relationship.

Some of its main elements are: nonverbal behaviors (such as smiling, eye contact and body orientation towards the patient), little emphasis on the therapist's role of authority, spontaneity (ability to express oneself naturally, without deliberation about everything one says and does) and self-disclosure (controlled offering, by the therapist, of information about oneself and one's reactions to the situation in therapy).

Bibliographical references:

• Campbell, L. F., Norcross, J. C., Vasquez, M. J., & Kaslow, N. J. (2013). Recognition of psychotherapy effectiveness: the APA resolution. Psychotherapy, 50(1), 98.

• Corbella, S., & Botella, L. (2004). Research in Psychotherapy. Process, results and common factors. Madrid: Visión Net.