Effective Psychotherapists
Clinical Skills That Improve Client Outcomes
by William R. Miller and Theresa B. Moyers

What is it that makes some therapists so much more effective than others, even when they are delivering the same evidence-based treatment?

This instructive book identifies specific interpersonal skills and attitudes—often overlooked in clinical training—that facilitate better client outcomes across a broad range of treatment methods and contexts. Reviewing 70 years of psychotherapy research, the preeminent authors show that empathy, acceptance, warmth, focus, and other characteristics of effective therapists are both measurable and teachable.

Richly illustrated with annotated sample dialogues, the book gives practitioners and students a blueprint for learning, practicing, and self-monitoring these crucial clinical skills.

Reviews

“This is an excellent and timely book. It is well written, well documented, and very compelling in its message.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy

“At long last, a book about the most important factor in psychotherapy—the person who delivers the treatment. And who better to author a book about effective psychotherapists than Miller and Moyers? Discussing the most crucial skills that therapists need to learn, this is a clinically focused presentation with a solid scientific basis. To top it off, Miller and Moyers discuss how the skills should be taught and learned through deliberate practice. This is an invaluable read for any practicing therapist and essential for all trainees.”

—Bruce E. Wampold, PhD, ABPP, Department of Counseling Psychology (Emeritus), University of Wisconsin–Madison

“If I had a dime for every time I heard a therapist say, ‘The relationship is the most important ingredient in psychotherapy,’ I’d be wealthy. Finally, we have a book that translates this old bromide into clinical skills that actually improve client outcomes. If achieving better results is your professional development objective, Effective Psychotherapists provides the roadmap to success.”

—Scott D. Miller, PhD, Director, International Center for Clinical Excellence

“Here’s a definitive account on how to do effective therapy. Rooted in clinical science and grounded in the therapeutic relationship, this book demonstrates how you can improve your own relationship competencies and thus your outcomes.”

—John C. Norcross, PhD, ABPP, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Psychology, University of Scranton

About the Authors

William R. Miller, PhD, is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. He introduced motivational interviewing in a 1983 article and in the first edition of Motivational Interviewing (1991), coauthored with Stephen Rollnick. Dr. Miller’s research has focused particularly on the treatment and prevention of addictions and more broadly on the psychology of change. He is a recipient of two career achievement awards from the American Psychological Association, the international Jellinek Memorial Award, and an Innovators Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among many other honors. His publications include 65 books and over 400 articles and chapters. His website is https://williamrmiller.net.

Theresa B. Moyers, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, where she conducts research on treatments for addictive behaviors, with a focus on motivational interviewing (MI). Her primary interests are identifying the active ingredients of MI as well optimal methods for disseminating it in addictions settings. Dr. Moyers has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and has presented on MI and addictions treatment in 16 countries. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. In addition to her academic pursuits, she trains and competes with her border collie in the sport of dog agility. Her website is www.theresamoyers.com.

Safer Society On-Demand Webinar with Author Theresa Moyers: 

What Are the Skills That Help People Change? A Conversation with Theresa Moyers