Using Fine-Grained Indexes of Therapists' Experience and Training to Predict Treatment Outcomes in a University-Based Training Clinic for Children and Families

Over several decades, researchers have debated whether a clinician's training and experience are associated with treatment outcome. Recent studies have suggested that fine-grained variables representing training or experience are better predictors of clinical effectiveness than broader measures, such as level of education. The present study addressed whether a therapist's number of direct client contact hours, days in doctoral training, and number of settings in which services were delivered were positively associated with meeting treatment goals in a university-based training clinic serving children and families. Results suggested each of these variables significantly predicted successful treatment completion.