Pulitzer prize winning author Thomas Friedman recently observed, “The era of average is over. In the 21st century, everyone is going to have to find something extra to stand out in their field.” What can mental health and substance abuse professionals do to enhance their performance? Available evidence makes clear that attending a typical continuing education workshop, specializing in the treatment of a particular problem, or learning a new treatment model does little to improve effectiveness. Over the last decade, Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., together with colleagues at the International Center for Clinical Excellence, have been tracking the outcomes of thousands of clinicians around the world. Along the way, they have identified specific practices that separate highly effective from average clinicians. How much better are these top performers? On average, they achieve 50% better outcomes than their equally trained and credentialed peers. What’s more, the best have much lower dropout rates and deliver better and more consistent outcomes across a range of client diagnoses, presenting complaints, and motivational levels. In this workshop, participants will learn three specific strategies that separate the good from the great. Attendees will not only learn a simple method for determining their effectiveness, but also how to develop a profile of their most and least effective practices-what works and what doesn’t. Step-by-step, evidence-based instructions will be given for using the profile to identify and eliminate weak spots while enhancing their effectiveness and efficiency.

Educational Objectives:

1. List three specific, evidence-based practices employed by highly effective therapists.
2. Describe how to develop a profile of your most and least effective practices.
3. Utilize an evidence-based method for pushing your performance to the next level of effectiveness and efficiency.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*