<\/span>Recording Sessions and Therapist Training<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most common use for recorded sessions is to help therapists who are in training improve their technique. Many professors or mentors actually require graduate students to record therapy sessions as part of their coursework before they can receive certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even professional therapists with years of experience sometimes record their sessions if they are training in a new technique, are undergoing a review process at their job, or just want to modify their approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recording sessions help with therapist education in a few different ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Getting feedback from a neutral party<\/li>
• Reinforcing specific techniques <\/li>
• Analyzing body language, vocal dynamics, and other subtle cues<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Although it seems as if the benefits are one-sided, the client benefits from sessions that are recorded for training sessions as well. Reviewing those videos helps therapists become better at their job, which in turn will lead to better, more productive sessions for clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  <\/span>The Certification Process<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  The road to becoming a therapist is long and hard. It involves years of education, passing a certification exam, and a practical component. Most therapists need at least a master’s degree in psychology or a similar field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  To become a practicing therapist, graduate students need supervised clinical experience because no amount of textbook learning can prepare someone to handle the complex realities of psychological care. However, just dropping a trainee in the deep end with no supervision will harm both the trainee and the patient who receives clumsy, inexperienced care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Often, clinical supervisors and graduate school professors require trainees to record some of their sessions. Recording sessions makes for a more productive review process as the supervisor can get an accurate picture of what happened during the session without actually being in the room and throwing the client off-guard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Recordings play an important role in the training and clinical supervision process, but not at the expense of a patient’s rights. The recordings are as anonymous as possible and are usually destroyed once the supervision period is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  <\/span>Training in New Techniques<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  Even after they are certified, therapists never stop learning. There are many different therapy techniques out there, from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to the PACT model (Patient-Aligned Care Teams). Some of these techniques are very different from each other and require a massive adjustment, for example, using specific words or phrases to prompt clients from what a therapist learned while in training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  That’s why some therapists will record sessions, even if they’re experienced, to ensure that they are actually using the new techniques that they are trying to learn. They may share those recordings with a peer group or supervisor who is helping them pick up new techniques. Some training programs, including the PACT model, actually require video review for training therapists, even ones with years of clinical experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  If a therapist discloses that they are recording your sessions to improve their grasp of a therapy technique, that will help you as hopefully; the improved knowledge will lead to more productive sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  <\/span>Therapist Review<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  Some therapists have to undergo periodic reviews, depending on where they work. Some clinics or practices require periodic video recordings to ensure that their therapists are doing a good job, following ethical industry standards, and sticking to any clinic guidelines regarding technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  <\/span>How Can Recording Sessions Help Patients?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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