Waller, G., & Turner, H. (2015).
Behaviour Research and Therapy, 77, 129–137.
Abstract
Therapist drift occurs when clinicians fail to deliver the optimum evidence-based treatment despite having the necessary tools, and is an important factor in why those therapies are commonly less effective than they should be in routine clinical practice. The research into this phenomenon has increased substantially over the past five years. This review considers the growing evidence of therapist drift. The reasons that we fail to implement evidence-based psychotherapies are considered, including our personalities, knowledge, emotions, beliefs, behaviours and social milieus. Finally, ideas are offered regarding how therapist drift might be halted, including a cognitive-behavioural approach for therapists that addresses the cognitions, emotions and behaviours that drive and maintain our avoidance of evidence-based treatments.
Highlights
• We consider the recent evidence that therapist drift is a common phenomenon in psychological therapies.
• We consider the reasons that therapist drift takes place.
• A cognitive-behavioural approach to overcoming therapist drift is outlined.
Here are some thoughts:
Therapist drift is when clinicians fail to deliver evidence-based treatments effectively, despite having the training and resources to do so. This drift can occur consciously or unconsciously and results in patients receiving suboptimal care, reducing their chances of recovery. Factors contributing to therapist drift include the therapist's knowledge, beliefs, emotions, personality, behaviors, and social environment. Research indicates that therapist drift is a significant issue in delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). To address therapist drift, strategies incorporating a cognitive-behavioral approach may be beneficial, targeting the beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that lead therapists away from evidence-based practices.
