Speaking about therapists. Old questions and some answers derived from empirical evidence

The paper presents a review of the therapist’s role and characteristics with reference to issues regarding general and specific training, theoretical and personal background, the capacity to initiate and maintain therapeutic alliance, the setting, differences between ‘novices’ and ‘experts’, the need for the clinical psychologist to be an active researcher within his/her practice. The concept of ‘responsibility’ as effective integration of technical competencies and ethical values is outlined. Each of these issues is accompanied by a brief synthesis of the research evidence.