Fine-Thomas Psychotherapy

We often first learn about this part of the therapeutic attitude with a good supervisor. When we are new to the field, a good supervisor can seem to do Jedi mind tricks. They seem almost psychic or as if they have information about us that we are only just barely aware of. Of course, there is no magic involved. Instead, a good supervisor has cultivated an instrument they use to pick up on the nuances of communication.

Most students of psychology learn early in their training that it is helpful for a clinician to have an open, warm, empathic attitude. They learn through practice that it is not sufficient to feign these behaviors because patients eventually can tell that feigned empathy is not the same as real empathy. Thus, they learn to cultivate an attitude of openness.