Over the last several weeks, I’ve posted a series of blogs on some pretty serious subjects: (1) new and counterintuitive findings about the therapeutic relationship; (2) data documenting the lack of difference in outcome between mental health professionals, students, paraprofessionals, and a compassionate friend; and (3) cutting edge research on what therapists can do to address the surprisingly high failure rate of traditional psychiatric and psychological treatments. Thanks to all of those who read the posts and posted comments.
With summer finally arriving, and the long Memorial Day weekend fast approaching, I’ve been in the mood for something a little lighter and fun. Last week, I was in Gothenburg, Sweden teaching a three-day intensive on Feedback-Informed Treatment Supervision. As part of the training, my co-teacher, Susanne Bargmann, and I include the latest findings on top performing therapists. If you’re not familiar with the research, take a moment and read the interview in the latest issue of The Carlat Psychiatry Report (posted by permission).
As pointed out in the article, top performing clinicians spend two to four and a half times more hours per week than their more average counterparts engaged in “deliberate practice”–that is, attempting to improve their performance by consciously engaging in activities that push beyond what they already do well. To illustrate the point, and hopefully inspire the group to take up this challenging activity, Susanne and I move beyond our comfort zones, performing material that is completely outside the realm of therapy but which we have each been deliberately practicing. She sings. I do mindreading or feats of memory. Importantly, we only do what we have yet to perfect. Sometimes we fail–miserably. Whatever the outcome, the feedback is always invaluable.
So, just for fun, take a moment and watch the videos below. The first was filmed last week at the training in Sweden. It’s a piece on memory. The second video features a bit of mindreading. Be sure and leave a comment with your thoughts!
More fun and sun is available at the ICCE Intensive trainings this summer in Chicago. We have a few spots left for the FIT Implementation and FIT Ethics workshops. Participants will be attending from all around the world, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Continuing education credits are available for both events. Hope to see you this summer.
Until next time,
Scott
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
International Center for Clinical Excellence
www.whatispcoms.com
Mindreading is something great interviewers experience all the time. I believe. Not staged as you did in the video but as an integral and almost organic part of what you need to ask your subject to bring the level of the interview just that much deeper. I could tell you some mindboggling feats of transference of thoughts that take place in an intense interview. I loved watching this video as I keep loving all your contributions in this field. Fond greetings and special memories, Taco, the Netherlands.
Thanks Taco. So good to hear from you. Are you still doing photography as well?!
Yep. Thanks for asking.
I know how you did this second trick, Scott. You used mindreading. But it was quite clever.
Trick?! Ha!