How to Be a Better Therapist - Six Myths

Dr. Tori Olds breaks down six myths we may have about how to become a good therapist. Most of our psychology training in grad school is spent on learning theories and therapy techniques, but we don't spend enough time focusing on the most important predictor of success, the therapeutic alliance. The truth is, the most important difference between a great therapist and a bad therapist is our ability to establish a strong connection between with our clients. Common factors research demonstrates that interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate warmth and empathy and the flexibility to align our goals with those of our clients' are critical to becoming a better therapist. While these skills may come more naturally to some, deliberate practice research shows that these are skills that can be learned through training or clinical supervision. This video is the first chapter in a continuing education course for therapists on the research and practice of becoming a master therapist.
00:00 Many Therapist Training Programs Don't Provide Us with the Tools to Become Great Therapists
04:11 Myth 1 - Therapists Improve Over Time
05:21 Myth 2 - It's All About Learning the Best Theories and Techniques
06:47 Myth 3 - Theory Doesn't Matter
07:57 Myth 4 - The Therapeutic Alliance is Just About Warmth and Empathy
08:31 Myth 5 - You Need to Be Confident to Be a Great Therapist
09:36 Myth 6 - You Can't Learn to Be a "Supershrink."
11:10 Overview of the Full Course: Deliberate Practice and a Road Map For Clinical Excellence
To sign up for the full course you can go here:
therapywisdom....
You can find my other fully video-based CEU courses: Integrating Experiential Psychotherapies, Ethical Trauma Treatment (3 Ethics CEUs) and New Brain Science here:
toriolds.com/c...
If you have any questions or are interested in joining one of my training groups you can reach me at:
toriolds.com/c...

[@michellemejia1518]

You are definitely a gifted teacher. Just found your channel today and I am enjoying every one of your videos that I watch!

[@enatp6448]

Sounds like Scott Miller's ideas about zone of proximal development. Essentially don't get too comfortable thinking you got it all figured out. Keep learning about yourself, your clients, human potential and human vulnerabilities. And I like that you've added that it is important to also value yourself as you're growing and learning - a lifelong process.

[@MS-zb6gr]

The therapeutic alliance can only come if the therapist has done his / her inner growth to integrate the inner shadows( or parts..) so that Being and presence can be the healing to the client. Of course one needs to know the roadmap to navigate to that space. Thanks for the video !

[@DrToriOlds]

Yes, agreed!! ;)

[@boomerbutler7569]

Here in 2024, in my practicum and I found this video to be beneficial. It's almost like therapists keep their secrets to themselves for the secret sauce of therapy. I sincerely want to be better for myself, but more importantly, for my clients to receive effective treatment.

[@DrToriOlds]

Thank you so much for watching, I’m thrilled that the videos has resonated with you 😊

[@dangrant3056]

Very helpful! Your ongoing growth and wide interest areas inclusion, is inspiring! Thank you! -dan

[@some-cool-guy]

Kudos to you Dr. Olds. Our field needs this so much! Dr. Diak, The Happiness Psychologist

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks so much Dr. Diak!! I really appreciate your saying so! ;)

[@kayjay8790]

Hello Dr. Olds, I know this is an older video but I believe you shared you had a follow up video concerning deliberate practice and following a road map in becoming more competent rounded therapists but I do not see one on your channel. Is this something you may produce in the future? Thank you for your work and insight into our field!

[@evanquinn5420]

I absolutely love this video! So needed in the community right now, laughter is absolutely appropriate as we look at each myth. Confidence is a quality that comes up a lot these days, I love the actual definition of it "a quiet inner knowledge that " if we cannot hold that for ourselves how are we supposed to offer hope for a client. Without that inner knowledge, well beyond theoretical orientation, we will spark half of these myths in an attempt to be a "super shrink" in a frantic attempt to master all theories, we turn away from who we are.

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks for these lovely reflections Evan!! :)

[@iankloss6173]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much for this wonderfully lucid and well-researched lesson. Excited to check out more of your videos.

[@chevonnethompson7349]

finally someone helpful and practical; thanks so much!! Im getting my master's right now, and you feel more helpful than anything!

[@menuchahats6760]

Thank you for teaching. Every video is special.

[@MsH4Eva]

I am so thankful to find you via Austin Therapist group!! You've made learning less scary and less judgmental.

[@DrToriOlds]

So glad to hear that!! Thanks for letting me know! ;)

[@jessicaprevost4507]

So thrilled I came across your videos. I'm finding them very helpful!

[@DrToriOlds]

I'm so glad! Thanks for leaving the kind comment!! Please continue watching as I post more over next few months!! :)

[@cocobololocoloco]

Definitely developed your warm and open skills....Never imagined you were anything else...wow ! My new therapist is too icy and uptight.

[@xtinamagwaza82]

I believe this energy of warmth and acceptance need to be authentic and can only be trained to a certain extent. It needs to real and picked up on the streets wading through life and its intricacies.

[@whitney3585]

I don’t see the following video to this?

[@stephencaudill2422]

I have 8000 hours of experience, and doubt myself every day...

[@michaelschlein8687]

This is great, thank you! Reminds me of alot of the same message from dr. Patricia Coughlin. Good stuff!

[@DrToriOlds]

Yes, I love Dr. Coughlin's work!! She is definitely on my list of people who I have learned from about these things!! Thanks for the nice comment! ;)

[@DiabolicMetal]

I passed due to chatgpt, now I'm here trying to actually learn.. I'm fucking cooked-

[@kylekornbau935]

Hi. I see that you are involved heavily in teaching and training activities. I’m wondering if you work with clients and if so what percentage of your time is spent working with clients versus on teaching and training activities. Thank you.

[@DrToriOlds]

Hi Kyle!! I teach a lot more than I see clients. My main duties right now are as a mom (I have an 8, 6, and 2 year old, and with the pandemic...it's crazy). BUT, I just see a few clients, while I lead 4 training groups a week over zoom. Also try to record when I can to create online training courses, like with Therapywisdom.com, or that I put on my website toriolds.com. :)

[@cakesinthecity]

I really want to develop my best therapist self

[@DrToriOlds]

Yay!! Gather all the support you can and go for it!! Thanks for sharing...

[@kylekornbau935]

I see that you train other therapists and are involved in teaching. I’m curious whether or not you work with clients and if so what percentage of your time is spent working with clients versus doing training and teaching activities. Thank you.

[@DrToriOlds]

Hi Kyle!! I teach a lot more than I see clients. My main duties right now are as a mom (I have an 8, 6, and 2 year old, and with the pandemic...it's crazy). BUT, I just see a few clients, while I lead 4 training groups a week over zoom. Also try to record when I can to create online training courses, like with Therapywisdom.com, or that I put on my website toriolds.com. :)

[@gaysingaming]

Can you share your sources?

[@TheDJBostock]

The subtitles seem to be from a different video.

[@DrToriOlds]

Thanks for letting me know! I doesn't seem to be going off for me...but maybe there was a youtube glitch that day or something...anyway...thanks for the heads up!! :)