According to recent surveys, a third of Russians prefer to solve problems on their own, without turning to psychologists for help. Perhaps the reason for such a skeptical attitude is the subjectivity of the assessment of psychological assistance. Let’s try to figure out who can evaluate it and how to do it.
The work of a psychologist, like any other, includes the formula “Seller-Service-Client”. Therefore, the specialist must clearly understand what exactly he sells, and have criteria for evaluating his effectiveness.
Why is this assessment important? Because the client wants to know the result in advance – it is difficult to imagine a person who will pay, not knowing what exactly he will receive for his money. Or the one who will pay for something poor-quality. Moreover, he risks not only money, but also his mental health. On the other hand, this assessment is also important to the psychologist himself – otherwise there is a risk that he will attribute the successes of the client to his skill, but failures – resistance and unpreparedness for psychotherapy.
Criteria for the effectiveness of a psychologist
1.
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The ability to explain what the specialist is doing and as a result expects
Or admit that now he does not have this understanding. Because there are situations when the previous option has not passed the test, but there is no new one yet. And to be able to explain this to the psychologist should himself, the client, colleague and everyone else. And also he must constantly double -check this formulation and adjust it – as he delves into the understanding of his client.
2. The ability to explain what and why is the best solution for the client
The psychologist must understand the needs of the client and ways to solve his problems. A specialist can consider his method the best, but he does not have the right to think that his methods of psychotherapy are suitable for everyone, with any financial, temporary and other possibilities. Therefore, if his method does not fit, he must offer something else.
3. Qualitatively passed the first session
The psychologist should strive to give something to the client already at the first session. If he takes money for her, then after the session the client should feel a fleeting, but relief. For example, from understanding your situation and causes of suffering. Or from the realization that psychotherapy can help to cope with his pain. In addition, the specialist must correctly distribute the time of the session – depending on whether a person has applied for a single advice or plans a long work.
4. Honesty and transparency of the working conditions of a psychologist
Psychotherapeutic relationships – trusting relationships. And the foundation of trust is laid when the psychologist talks not only about what will be done and why, but on what conditions. If he works for hiring, he can quit or he will be fired. What will happen in this case? Will joint work continue? If the psychologist does not clarify such moments in advance, then he can bring the client and undermine his trust not only to himself, but also to psychotherapy in general.
5. Sessions with a psychologist should help the client
The real life of the client should improve over time. If nothing changes or gets worse, then a specialist and/or his approach to the client does not fit. At least now. This does not mean that the psychologist harms him, just in this situation he is ineffective.
Who evaluates the result?
Different groups can and should evaluate the work done by a psychologist. Two situations are possible:
Only a client and a psychologist
This is a difficult situation: both are involved in the work, which means that they are not fully objective. In this case, a specialist needs to provide external groups of grades – a supervisor or a group of colleagues for regular meetings. Ideally, it should be both colleagues practicing in the same method and colleagues from another approach.
The psychologist should be able to explain what he is doing, demonstrate the progress of the client. Justify that the result was possible thanks to the method chosen by it. Or admit that it could be achieved in a different approach.
Client, psychologist and institutional third
If this is a clinic or center, then the bosses join. If the service of the selection of specialists, then the senior partner. This is a very valuable reference group, whose assessment is essentially the most neutral.
It is not easy to highlight the criteria of effectiveness: there are no numbers and unified formulas. But psychologists are obliged to formulate the KPI for themselves, relying on the feedback of the client, colleagues, institutions and their own common sense and evaluating the effectiveness of their work from different sides.