Be a Better Therapist: How to Tell if Therapy is Working for Your Clients
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Hey there, fabulous therapists! Lisa Marie Bobby here, and today, we’re diving into a topic that’s near and dear to every therapist’s heart: How do you know if your therapy is truly helping your clients? If you’ve ever found yourself sitting in a session wondering, “Is this really working?” then this post is for you. Let’s get into it!
Understanding the Ambiguity of Therapy
As therapists, we often swim in a sea of ambiguity. I think most thoughtful, responsible, and ethical therapists, myself included, have asked ourselves (or our clinical supervisors) questions like:
- “How can I measure therapy effectiveness?”
- “What are signs that therapy is working for my clients?”
- “What to do if therapy isn’t helping my client?”
- “How often should I check in on client progress?”
- “How to ask clients for feedback about therapy?”
- “What are the behavioral signs of progress in therapy?”
- “What are the best practices for evaluating therapy outcomes?”
- “How to handle therapy clients who aren’t improving?”
- “How to know when a client is ready to graduate from therapy?”
- “How do I adjust therapy approaches based on client needs”
These are the kinds of questions that great therapists ask themselves. It is not just wrong, but unethical, to continue providing services to someone if you’re not clear on whether or not you’re helping them. By asking these questions you are staying deeply connected to your clients outcomes! Here’s more on maintaining a code of ethics and protecting your therapy practice.
And… while we all want clarity and to know that our work is having a positive impact, it’s not so easy, is it?
Here’s why:
Our work involves subtle, gradual changes that can take months or even years to manifest. These changes are frequently internal and not immediately visible. It can take months or even years for some of the positive growth to manifest itself in your clients’ lives — by then, you’re probably not working together anymore. This can leave us questioning our effectiveness as a therapist. But fear not, there are ways to navigate this ambiguity and gain clarity on your client’s progress.
If you struggle with ambiguity as a therapist, I’ve got some tips for you to help you know if you’re actually helping your therapy clients — or if it’s time to try a different approach. If you’d prefer to listen to this one, I’ve also recorded an episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists on this topic. You can find it on this page, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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How to Measure Your Clients’ Progress in Therapy
Follow these tips to measure your clients’ progress, and you’ll never have to wonder if you’re actually helping your therapy clients again:
- Setting Clear Goals with Your Clients
“How can I measure therapy effectiveness?” One of the most powerful tools in your therapeutic toolkit is goal setting. What exactly does your client want to get out of your work together? It’s critical that you can articulate this. Without goals, there’s no way to assess progress. At the outset of therapy, work with your clients to establish clear, measurable, and achievable goals. These goals should be specific and tailored to each client’s needs.
These goals serve as a roadmap for both you and your client, providing a clear direction and a way to measure progress. Remember, goals can and should evolve as therapy progresses, reflecting your client’s growth and changing needs. Make sure you’re keeping great records of therapy case notes so you’ll have a reference to look back on as your therapy sessions progress.
- Regular Check-Ins: The Key to Tracking Progress
“How to ask clients for feedback about therapy?” Regularly check in with your clients about their perceptions of their progress. This direct feedback is invaluable. It not only helps you assess whether your approach is effective but also strengthens the therapeutic relationship by making your clients feel heard and valued. Ask specific questions about the issues you’ve been working on and listen for signs of progress in their responses.
- Observing Behavioral Changes
“What are signs that therapy is working for my clients?” Changes in behavior, both inside and outside the therapy room, are tangible indicators of progress. Pay attention to the stories your clients share. Are they handling conflicts better? Are they more productive at work? Are they taking better care of themselves? These are all signs that your therapy is making a positive impact.
- Celebrating Milestones and Graduations
“How to know when a client is ready to graduate from therapy?” Believe it or not, one of the clearest signs of successful therapy is when a client no longer needs your support. This is a testament to the effectiveness of your work. When clients can independently manage their issues and utilize the tools you’ve provided, it’s time to celebrate their graduation from therapy. This is the ultimate goal: to empower your clients to live better lives on their own.
- Embracing Coaching Psychology
“How do I adjust therapy approaches based on client needs” If you’re looking to enhance your therapeutic practice and become a more effective therapist, consider integrating principles from coaching psychology into your therapy practice. Coaching focuses on clear, measurable outcomes and direct feedback mechanisms, providing a structured framework that can complement traditional therapy. Learning coaching strategies can help you set more effective goals, track progress more accurately, and ultimately become a better therapist. For more info on this topic check out, “What therapists should know about coaching!”
Resources for Continued Growth
If you’re feeling ready to explore even more, check out my free resource: The Licensed Certified Coach 2-Part Video Training: “The Ultimate Guide”. This training is designed to help you get clear on your professional path and explore whether coaching could be a fulfilling addition to your career.
Final Thoughts
Being a therapist is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. By setting clear goals, regularly checking in with your clients, observing behavioral changes, and considering new approaches like coaching psychology, you can ensure that your therapy is truly making a difference.
Thank you for spending this time with me today. For more resources to help you thrive as a therapist, visit my website at growingself.com/therapists. You’ll find podcasts, articles, and interactive activities designed to support your professional and personal growth.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn, too! Join the conversation and connect with me directly over there.
Until next time, stay fabulous!
Xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
Resources
Barkham, Michael, Wolfgang Lutz, Michael J. Lambert, and David Saxon. “Therapist effects, effective therapists, and the law of variability.” (2017).
Brosan, L., Reynolds, S., & Moore, R. G. (2008). Self-evaluation of cognitive therapy performance: do therapists know how competent they are?. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 36(5), 581-587.
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