Psykoterapeutisk utveckling genom Deliberate Practice

Sammanfattning: A survey study was conducted to examine the relationship between Deliberate Practice (DLP) and treatment outcome in psychotherapy. To date, only one study has previously examined this connection. The study was conducted at a university counselling centre at Lund University. 130 student therapists were asked what they do an average week to improve themselves as therapists. They were also asked about their motivation to conduct psychotherapy, their previous psychotherapy related experience and the quality of their supervision. The survey answers were compared with their treatment outcomes. 52 student therapists answered the survey. A relationship was found between the amount of discussed psychotherapy and treatment outcomes. Discussing psychotherapy may vitalize psychotherapy and raise opportunity to exchange concrete experiences. This might benefit the treatment. The amount of previous credits in psychology at a university level was also related to treatment outcomes. Educational background may give the therapist a broad psychological knowledge and could deepen the understanding of human nature. This knowledge may benefit psychotherapy. More precise measurement of DLP within psychotherapy is needed in future research. DLP should be tested experimentally to give a clearer picture of its role for the development of therapist skills.