Therapist Credibility

Therapist credibility refers to a patient’s discernment of the treating mental health professional’s ability to provide appropriate and effective treatment. A patient’s perception of credibility is most flexible during the beginning stages of psychotherapy; however, it can fluctuate during the course of treatment due to implementation of possible dissonance-inducing interventions and rapport ruptures. Ultimately, a goal that often goes unmentioned during initial intake appointments is for the patient to deem the therapist credible while still recognizing the role of the psychotherapist as an unbiased source of support and guidance.

Factors Influencing Credibility

Numerous domains related to therapist credibility have been identified and empirically supported. These domains can have either a conscious or an unconscious impact on the patient at the receiving end. Research indicates that these credibility ...

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