Psychotherapists' personality traits and their influence on treatment processes and outcomes: A scoping review

Abstract

Background Prior research indicates that patients' personality traits are associated with psychotherapy processes and outcomes. However, the potential relevance of therapists' personality traits is less understood. Methods This is a scoping review of studies investigating associations between therapists' personality traits with treatment processes and outcomes. Three databases (Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were searched, identifying 27 eligible studies synthesized using a narrative review of key findings. Results The influence of therapists' personality traits was studied in relation to therapeutic orientation, interpersonal skills, therapist competence and skill, model fidelity, treatment outcomes, therapeutic alliance, and therapist well‐being. Findings indicate that therapists' personality traits are associated with the choice of therapeutic orientation and with interpersonal skills, but there is mixed evidence about associations with clinical outcomes. Conclusion Therapists' personality traits are associated with therapeutic orientation and interpersonal skills. However, it remains unclear whether therapists' personality traits influence other aspects of therapeutic processes or outcomes.

Maladaptive therapist schemas in CBT practice, training and supervision: A scoping review

“…Three studies explored the role of IU and LSE, yet it is unclear how to classify these predisposing factors. On face value, they do not fit with typical description of personality traits (Fletcher & Delgadillo, 2022) nor core beliefs in the traditional sense.…”

“…The Declarative‐Procedural‐Reflective model of therapist skill development (Bennett‐Levy, 2006) is a useful framework to help trainees understand the roles that their personal and therapist ‘selves’ play in their training. In contrast to personality traits which are often present from early childhood and viewed as fixed (see Fletcher & Delgadillo, 2022), therapist beliefs can arise at any stage in one's career and could therefore, potentially be amended and updated (Deacon et al, 2013).…”

Exploring therapist characteristics as potential moderators of the effects of client feedback on treatment outcome

“…Delgadillo et al (2020) suggest that very high levels of openness might be related to nonconformity, which might not be a desirable quality when a therapist is delivering structured CBT protocols. Yet, a recent review of studies on therapists personality traits and treatment processes and outcomes did not find conclusive evidence of a relationship between therapists' openness and model fidelity (Fletcher & Delgadillo, 2022). In the present study, the average therapist scores on openness were lower than in Delgadillo et al's (2020) study.…”

Preferences regarding psychotherapist characteristics and their predictors: Results of a German online survey.

“…However, the results of the two studies are not directly comparable because of different methods (i.e., Interpersonal Adjective Scales vs. BFI-K) and samples (mostly undergraduate vs. laypeople respondent pool sample). There are a few studies that show positive effects of patient–therapist personality match on therapy outcomes and alliance (Fletcher & Delgadillo, 2022). Interestingly, participants did not rate neuroticism as preferable for therapists, even though therapist neuroticism is associated with higher therapeutic alliance ratings (Chapman et al, 2009) and reduced patient symptoms (Rieck & Callahan, 2013).…”