The authors investigated the evolution of psychotherapeutic skills over
time in a group of psychiatric residents in their third year of training. A
29-item Supervisors Evaluation Scale measuring psychotherapy skills was
developed. Each resident who began his or her clinical experience in
conducting individual analytically oriented psychotherapy was rated by his
or her supervisors on this scale toward the beginning of training and again
8 months later. Statistically significant changes were found for 7 of the
skills measured. The authors feel that these may reflect those aspects of
psychotherapy which the beginning therapist can readily learn with
supervision and experience.Abstract Teaser