Measures for predicting therapeutic skill and the effects of training.

Using ratings of the Group Assessment of Interpersonal Traits (GAIT) as a criterion of psychotherapeutic skill, the relative value of academic criteria vs therapy-analytic criteria in predicting therapeutic skill was examined in 26 upper-level undergraduates in a clinical psychology course. Two measures of traditional academic criteria were used: scores on the psychology subtest of the Graduate Record Examination and course exam scores. Academic measures did not predict therapeutic skill, whereas therapy-analytic ability did. This finding argues for the use of therapy-analysis in undergraduate courses in mental health delivery disciplines and in selecting therapeutically talented nonprofessionals. Results also suggest that the predictive value of therapy-analysis is greater for untrained than for trained nonprofessionals. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)