Erfassung verhaltenstherapeutischer Kompetenzen durch direkte Verhaltensbeobachtung: Entwicklung eines Beobachtungsbogens für eine kriterienorientierte Supervision

Abstract

Generally acceptable criteria for ‘good’ psychotherapists are difficult to determine, since clients, settings, and forms of psychotherapy have to be taken into consideration. Nevertheless, it is necessary to establish minimal standards which give an orientation for the training of therapists. Those aspects which are empirically shown to be effective in psychotherapy must be focused on: interactional and methodological competencies. Especially during training in psychotherapy, observation of the therapists’ behavior (by video tapes or live supervision) is desirable because this assists in giving concrete feedback about adequate behavior or behavior that needs to be improved. An observational sheet with 24 rating scales is presented, which can be used for assessment of the therapists’ actual behavior by the supervisor. For therapists the rating scales can give an orientation for the development of necessary therapeutic competencies. These focus on interactional skills, structural and strategic aspects of therapeutic work as well as general effects (attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertness of therapists). The rating sheet was examined in a study with 13 behavior therapists who carried out a group training for developing assertiveness. Usefulness of the results of the ratings for supervision is exemplified by profiles of behavioral competencies of two therapists at different stages of therapeutic development.