Developing process sensitivity: Reply to Wilcox (2024) and Boswell (2024).

Abstract

Wilcox (2024) and Boswell (2024) make a number of important observations about facilitating process sensitivity training, and here, we respond to those suggestions. We postulate that cultivating process sensitivity is complementary, not antithetical, to traditional training in viewing therapy from a theoretical lens, and thus, can serve to enhance, rather than replace one's existing psychotherapy skills. Moreover, we argue that seeing the impact of process adjustments in real time can be a significant motivator for training in process sensitivity since the benefits are more immediately obvious. We further argue that the field can be more thoughtful about the use of simulations in training and the emerging interactive training platforms using video stimuli, since they facilitate exposure to clinical situations in a safe manner. Finally, while learning to identify process markers can play a valuable role in optimizing the timing of interventions, we argue that this pales in comparison to the value of process sensitization as a means of attending to outcome information in the moment ("little outcome"). If successful, this opens up the possibility of developing expertise in psychotherapy, which hitherto was considered not possible. However, these propositions require rigorous testing in studies on training and supervision.