AND THE SPR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH NETWORKarious influences on their own development as therapists were rated by more than 4,000 psychotherapists V who differed in terms of professional background, career level, theoretical orientation, and nationality. Despite these and other differences, considerable agreement was found concerning the factors that facilitate or impede professional development. Most important as positive influences were practice-related interpersonal situations, chiefly the experience of working directly with patients, as well as formal supervision and the therapist's own personal therapy. Academic learning, whether by taking courses or reading