Improving interpersonal skills in therapists: A waitlist-controlled trial of facilitative interpersonal and relational skills training

Objective This study evaluated a brief deliberate practice–based training program (‘Facilitative Interpersonal and Relational Skills Training’) aimed at enhancing therapists’ facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) in a sample of experienced clinicians.Methods Using a waitlist-controlled design, two groups of therapists (N = 68) sequentially received a two-day workshop followed by two booster sessions over two months. They completed performance-based FIS assessments at three time points, along with self-reported FIS and therapist self-efficacy. Piecewise mixed-effects models tested pre-post change in each group and effects across the eight specific FIS.Results No significant group × time interaction emerged. One group showed significant within-group improvement in FIS following training (g = .42, 95% CI [.15, .70], p =