How to improve as a psychologist? 5 key skills

A review of the types of learning necessary to improve as a psychotherapist psychologist.

Working as a psychologist specializing in psychotherapy is a process that goes hand in hand with constant training. goes hand in hand with constant training.. Not only because every year new research appears showing interesting findings about behavior and the human mind, but also because to be a therapist it is important to learn a whole series of skills that can be acquired by simply reading books or studying for a degree in psychology. It is necessary to assume with humility that becoming a good psychologist takes years and to keep an open mind while developing various competencies and skills.

In this article we will talk about how to improve as a psychologist with reference to a series of skills to "train" once you have finished your university degree..

The keys to improve as a psychotherapist psychologist

The work of the psychologist specialized in the care of patients in the context of psychotherapy is as complex as it is fascinating; that is why there is so much to learn and improve in this professional field. Here we will limit ourselves to a summary of the keys to keep in mind in order to improve as a psychologist, explaining their implications when it comes to offering services.

1. Learning to see beyond literalism

One of the characteristics of psychotherapy is that, especially in this field, "the client is not always right".. Obviously it is essential to know and understand the explanations that the patient gives about why he/she has decided to attend therapy, but we must not limit ourselves to this as a reference, it is necessary to look beyond it. Part of the psychologist's job is to help the person to understand what is happening to him/her, the reason for his/her discomfort (which does not mean unilaterally imposing stories about the origin of his/her problem, as we will see later).

Thus, the psychologist must go beyond the literal, which in the world of art and text analysis is called attending to the "subtext" of what is said. Words are only a resource to communicate, not an objective representation of what is going on in the mind of the person.

2. Training in specific techniques and strategies

It is essential not to remain only in abstract ideas about life habits and routines that help to preserve mental health.We must be very clear about which specific problems require specific therapeutic resources. Fortunately, year after year, meta-analyses and all kinds of studies are being carried out to test the efficacy of different therapies and forms of psychological intervention by analyzing their effects on patients with specific disorders.

In addition, this training process will enrich our range of possibilities when using techniques, ensuring that we always use the most useful and effective given a particular problem (although others of general application would also have served, but without offering the same results).

3. Maintain a professional role without falling into condescension.

As we mentioned earlier, it is one thing to assert our knowledge as psychotherapy professionals, and another to limit ourselves to "explaining" to the patient what is really happening to him/her, as if his/her role were to accept any kind of feedback from us.

At the end of the day, their reactions to the hypotheses that the psychotherapists draw up are also part of the information that the psychologist must analyze, since they reveal things about the patient's psychotherapy.They reveal things about their beliefs, their way of perceiving themselves, and so on. And, on the other hand, with a unilateral approach to the therapy it is impossible to establish a correct rapport and therapeutic alliance.

4. To assume that the psychotherapist's work goes beyond the sessions with patients.

It would be very comfortable to assume that the psychologist's work is only what happens between the moment the patient enters the office and the moment he/she leaves at the end of the therapy session. But this is not true at all, and not just because it is important to prepare for the sessions and reflect on the information gathered during them.

In today's society the psychotherapist must also take on tasks that belong to the world of marketingKnowing how to create a flow of patients, making oneself visible, making things easy to arrange appointments, developing a brand image... There is no point in being a psychologist if, because of a too passive attitude, no one knows of our existence and no one benefits from what we know how to do.

5. Develop social skills for a correct therapeutic alliance.

Training social skills is essential in psychotherapy for a number of reasons. First of all, it avoids misunderstandings and allows both parties to be clear about what the other is saying.

Secondly, beyond the world of understanding information, it helps to establish a good rapport right from the very first sessionsIt helps the patient to be able to open up and honestly express his or her fears, insecurities, what makes him or her feel bad, etc.

And thirdly, it is necessary for the patient not to stop attending therapy. does not stop attending therapy and does not experience any progress or benefit despite having paid and invested time and effort in the process.

Do you want to train in psychotherapy?

If you are interested in learning the theoretical and practical aspects of psychotherapy to become a professional, The Master in Integrative Psychotherapy at Instituto Mensalus may fit what you are looking for.

This training program, which is in its 12th edition and lasts one year, can be done in the classroom mode (at the Mensalus Psychology Center, located in Barcelona), online (with live classes and content uploaded to the intranet and accessible at any time) or mixed.

Regardless of the modality chosen, the contents and classes are designed and taught by a teaching team composed of psychologists and researchers who are mainly dedicated to the field of clinical and health psychology. From an integrative theoretical position, this Master's Degree allows both learning the fundamental ideas and concepts of therapy and observing and participating in real cases with patients, something that is possible because it is a training program carried out by one of the most important psychological and psychiatric assistance centers in the Catalan capital. In addition, its completion makes it possible to obtain a University Degree from the Nebrija University of Madrid.

If you are interested in learning more about the Master in Integrative Psychotherapy, please contact Instituto Mensalus.