Why Tracking Outcomes can make Therapists feel Unsafe
From the first day of our careers to the last, we remain committed to giving our Clients the very best of our abilities in the hope of transforming their lives. As therapists, we tend to be humble about our competence and we strive continually to improve our skills. And none of us would argue against the potential benefits of collecting outcome data in helping us to improve our clinical work. But when it actually comes down to collecting data on our own Clients, it begins to feel uncomfortable, even threatening.
Outcome data has many elements that make us feel uneasy and reticent. It can feel reductive or even mechanical, and we question if the numbers truly capture the deeply human process of our clinical interactions. There is a deep fear that the data will expose shortcomings. We worry about who will see this data. And we wonder if the numbers can tell us exactly where and how our work can be improved. Will it say more about us as therapists than about our Clients' complex situations and histories? In short we might feel watched and judged, more than assisted.
Outcome Data is part of our Journey
Let’s unpack the benefits of outcome data in the hope that it moves us closer to jumping this professional hurdle many of us pull back from. Outcome data, when properly structured, serves two essential functions:
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Validation - It allows us to demonstrate, both to ourselves and others, that what we are doing works and works well. As well as telling us what we might not be doing perfectly, it points very clearly to what we are doing right, what our strengths are and where they are. This is crucial for our confidence and shifts the focus towards our achievements and away from potential shortfallings. It gives us solid ground to share these competencies with our colleagues. It tells us that part of our skillset is good and has been worth all the work we put into it. We should celebrate that.
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Improvement - Without data, improvement becomes guesswork and second guessing is always painful and unhelpful. Data offers clarity that can become purpose. Good data collection is specific and gives us precise information on exactly what is lacking in our work and where.
Clinical competence is never fixed; it is an evolving process. Outcome data has a place in this evolution without dictating it. We are on a professional journey and we know where we want to go, outcome data is just part of the process of navigating that journey. Remember, outcome data does not dictate the journey or where you want to end up, it’s just lights on the runway.
At the PBBT Institute, outcome data is central to the development of PBBT itself and to the training of our therapists. We are fully confident in the behavioral science that underpins PBBT and we use outcome data to keep us as close to that science as possible. The data will tell us when we have deviated from the science and then the scientific explanation will show us how to get back on track and the data will guide us in doing that. In this way, outcome data is integrated with the basic scientific roots of PBBT.
Let the science do its work and let the outcome data tell us about our delivery of that work. Good clinical work is a test of the scientific principles underneath it, not a test of the people who deliver them.
Want to learn more?
Join us for an informational webinar on the Professional Diploma in Process-Based Behaviour Therapy (PBBT).
Date: 14th July 2025
Time: 16:00 (Irish Time)
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/S68pto_aTS-ACn0qsS8Jkg