JOURNAL ARTICLE

What do therapists with prior experience treating trichotillomania do differently?

  • Published In: Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 2025, v. 89, n. 3. P. 194 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Gustaveson, Jacob J.; Laky, Zoë E.; Kelley, Kara N.; Haaga, David A. F. 3 of 3

Abstract

Greater therapist experience is not necessarily associated with superior treatment outcomes, but some data suggest that experience with a specific disorder or treatment protocol is helpful. This study conducted a secondary analysis of one such finding, in which therapists with previous experience treating trichotillomania (TTM) achieved better outcomes than did TTM-novice therapists in a randomized controlled trial of the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) model. Sixty session recordings from this trial were randomly selected for coding on rationally-selected dimensions of therapist competence, of which seven proved sufficiently reliable for between-groups analysis. Sessions conducted by experienced therapists were superior in management of session time and most indicators tapping complex ComB-specific skills, whereas they were inferior to novice therapists on addressing patient nonadherence. Discussion focused on possible explanations for these results and proposed testing a sequence in which TTM therapists could begin with less complex interventions and implement ComB only after developing improved expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic. 2025/07, Vol. 89, Issue 3, p194
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0025-9284
  • DOI:10.1521/bumc.2025.89.3.194
  • Accession Number:188180021
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