Improving interpersonal skills in therapists: A waitlist-controlled trial of facilitative interpersonal and relational skills training.

Objective: This study evaluated a brief deliberate practice-based training program ('Facilitative Interpersonal and Relational Skills Training') aimed at enhancing therapists' facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) in a sample of experienced clinicians.

Methods: Using a waitlist-controlled design, two groups of therapists (N = 68) sequentially received a two-day workshop followed by two booster sessions over two months. They completed performance-based FIS assessments at three time points, along with self-reported FIS and therapist self-efficacy. Piecewise mixed-effects models tested pre-post change in each group and effects across the eight specific FIS.

Results: No significant group × time interaction emerged. One group showed significant within-group improvement in FIS following training (g = .42, 95% CI [.15, .70], p = <.01), wheras the other showed a small, non-significant improvement (g = .21, 95% CI [-.20, .62], p = .31). Skill-specific analyzes indicated the largest gains in alliance-related skills, namely alliance bond capacity and rupture-repair responsiveness. No significant effects were found for self-reported FIS or therapist self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Modest improvements emerged in FIS after the training, especially alliance-focused capacities. Effects were smaller than in prior trainee-trials on FIS training, likely reflecting higher baseline skill levels and limited power. Larger studies are needed to evaluate clinical impact.