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Michael Helge Rønnestad

Department of Psychology

Email m.h.ronnestad@psykologi.uio.no

Available hours By appointment

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Visiting address Forskningsveien 3A Harald Schjelderups hus 0373 Oslo

Postal address Postboks 1094 Blindern 0317 Oslo

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Academic Interests

The main topics of Rønnstad’s research is the professional development of psychotherapists, process-outcome research in psychotherapy and clinical supervision. In addition, the conceptualization of evidence based practice (EBP) is an important area of interest. He argues for a broad conception of EBP, which includes breadth in research design, clinical expertise and the paramount importance of an in-depth understanding of clients in contex.

Rønnestad is the European coordinator for The Society for Psychotherapy Reseach-Collaborative Research Network (SPR-CRN). This program, which was initiated and is led by David Orlinsky, U. of Chicago. By September 2010 this project has data from more than 10.000 psycotherapists from more than 20 countreis. Together with Thomas Skovholt, Univesity of Minnesota, Rønnestad is conducting a qualitative study of therapist development.

You will find a brief general description of the SPR/CRN project and Norwegian collaborators here (pdf)
Rønnestad's publications, where data from the SPR-CRN program has been used can be found here (pdf)
”An intensive process-outcome study of the interpersonal aspects of psychotherapy” Rønnestad is the principal investigator for , which is financed by the Norwegian Resarch Council and the University of Oslo. Eighteen reputable specialists in clinical psychology and psychiatrists participate as therapists. All therapists are teachers at reputable psychotherapy training-institutions. He also participates in a collaborative network study on clinical supervision. Participants are academic staff at unitversity clinics at the at the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen and Aalborg University

Teaching

Psyc4301- Psykologisk behandling og behandlingsforskning (Profesjonsstudiet)
Psyc4400 - Forpraksis voksne.Relasjonskompetanse (Profesjonsstudiet)
Psy9222 - Psykoterapiforskning: Enkeltkasusdesign og kvalitativ forskning (PhD-programmet)

Higher education and employment history

Has a Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Mo.(1973)
Professor of clinical psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo from 1993.
Specialist in clinical psychology (Norwegian Psychological Association).
He supervises a number of Ph.D. fellows primarily within the areas of pschotherapy research and psychotherapist development

Awards

Ida Beam professorship, University of Iowa
Bjørn Christiansen Memorial Award, Norwegian Psycholog

Appointments

Asst. and assoc professor 1973-1993
Professor of clinical psychology 1993-presently

Tags: Emeritus, Clinical psychology

Stige, Signe Hjelen; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Oddli, Hanne Berit Weie; Doorn, Katie Aafjes-van; Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen & Visted, Endre (2026). The clinician's helpful and hindering uncertainty scale (CHUS). Development, factor structure, and initial validation. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2026.2689630. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective The ability to tolerate incomplete knowledge, or uncertainty, is a central clinical competence, yet it is an understudied topic. The few measures of therapist uncertainty tolerance that exist require clinical experience, limiting their usefulness for tracking development through training. We present the development and initial validation of the Clinician Helpful and Hindering Uncertainty Scale (CHUS), designed for use across all stages of clinical training. Method Based on comprehensive conceptual clarification, 68 items were constructed to reflect six facets denoting attitudes toward and dealing with uncertainty. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the measure’s conceptual fit and psychometric properties were examined in a combined sample of 376 English-speaking psychotherapists and students. Construct and concurrent validity were assessed through associations with self-efficacy, intolerance of uncertainty, professional self-doubt, and coping. Qualitative interviews with 15 participants explored the potential utility of CHUS in training. Results CFA supported a 30-item, six-factor structure. Factors showed good internal consistency (McDonald’s ω = .74-.91) and expected correlations with established measures. Qualitative analyses suggested that CHUS stimulated self-reflection and was viewed as helpful for professional development. Conclusion The CHUS shows promising initial psychometric properties and may represent a useful multidimensional measure of clinical uncertainty for research and training purposes.
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Orlinsky, David E. & Willutzki, Ulrike (2024). Exploring influences of supervision on psychotherapists’ professional development: correlates across career-level cohorts. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. ISSN 0951-5070. doi: 10.1080/09515070.2024.2378879. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D.E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Willutzki, U.; Schröder, T.A.; Heinonen, Erkki & Löffler-Stastka, H. [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2024). Healing involvement and stressful involvement experienced by psychotherapy trainees: Patterns, correlates and perceived development. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1473-3145. doi: 10.1002/capr.12788. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background and Method The experiences of 454 psychotherapy trainees when providing therapy to patients were surveyed in a multinational sample largely from European countries, as part of the collaborative SPRISTAD study, using established measures of trainees' Healing Involvement (HI) and Stressful Involvement (SI). Results The results of cross-sectional analyses included the delineation of four differential patterns of therapeutic work involvement showing approximately half the trainees experienced an Effective Practice (high HI, low SI) while the other half experienced either a Challenging Practice (high HI, high SI), a Disengaged Practice (low HI, low SI) or a Distressing Practice (low HI, high SI). Discussion Strong-to-moderate correlations were found between involvement styles and trainees' individual personal and professional characteristics, and among training programme and workplace situational conditions, and their possible applications to candidate selection and training practices were discussed. A strong association was seen between HI and SI qualities of trainees' therapeutic work and their positive or negative experiences of current professional development. Implications for training and hypotheses for future longitudinal studies were proposed based on the results.
Hartmann, Armin; Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Willutzki, Ulrike; Schröder, Thomas A. & Heinonen, Erkki (2024). Measuring psychotherapist functioning with the Therapist Work Involvement Scales (TWIS): reliability, factor structure, and measurement invariance. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2389857. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives The Therapist Work Involvement Scales (TWIS) is a self-report research instrument that enables a multilayered description of psychotherapists’ experiences when treating clients. The TWIS was created in a comprehensive study of close to 5,000 psychotherapists, and has been used in multiple studies. The aim of the current paper is to clarify the organization and statistical characteristics of the TWIS, and to present an updated version for longitudinal and cross-sectional research. Methods Collection of a large sample of psychotherapy trainees made possible the use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the dimensions and structure of therapists’ process experiences, assessing reliabilities, measurement invariance over gender, item statistics, and correlations with other measures to show concurrent and predictive validity. Results The CFAs largely confirmed the factor structure of four of the five facets, and of the global super-factors. The global factors of Healing Involvement and Stressful Involvement each showed substantial correlations with therapists’ attachment style and professional growth, and were used to describe four practice patterns that typify the experiences of therapists. Conclusion The results have shown the TWIS to be a statistically sound, multidimensional research instrument enabling therapists to describe their experience in current therapeutic work.
Orlinsky, David E.; Messina, Irene; Hartmann, Armin; Willutzki, Ulrike; Heinonen, Erkki & Rønnestad, Michael Helge [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Ninety psychotherapy training programmes across the globe: Variations and commonalities in an international context. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1473-3145. doi: 10.1002/capr.12690. Full text in Research Archive
Heinonen, Erkki; Orlinsky, David E.; Willutzki, Ulrike; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Schröder, Thomas & Messina, Irene [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). Psychotherapist Trainees’ Quality of Life: Patterns and Correlates. Frontiers in Psychology. 13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864691. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
While psychotherapists are trained to improve their clients’ quality of life, little work has examined the quality of life experienced by psychotherapist trainees themselves. Yet their life satisfactions and stresses would plausibly affect both their ability to learn new skills and conduct psychotherapy. Therefore, in the Society for Psychotherapy Research Interest Section on Psychotherapist Development and Training study, we investigated the patterns of self-reported life quality and their correlates in a multinational sample of 1,214 psychotherapist trainees. A comprehensive questionnaire was used at the outset of trainings to assess trainees’ professional background, current life situation, personal characteristics, family background, and social and national origin. The findings indicated 54.3% of trainees’ lives could be characterized as fortunate or happy (i.e., experiencing great life satisfaction and not much stress), whereas 14.3% could be characterized as clearly distressed or troubled (i.e., experiencing great life stress and not much satisfaction). The strongest correlates of high life stress, a contributor to poor life quality, were economic insecurity, self-protectiveness, and attachment-related anxiety in relationships, and economic or psychological hardship in childhood. In turn, greater wellbeing was most strongly associated with a warm and open interpersonal style, being married, having sufficient economic means, and material and emotional security in childhood. While the results indicate the majority of therapists experience a relatively good quality of life, the findings also suggest potential targets for increasing trainees’ life quality when it may be deficient, such as those on a societal level (e.g., availability of low-cost student loans), training program level (e.g., promoting supportive supervision, positive between-trainee relationships and group collaboration), and individual level (e.g., personal therapy and learning self-care), in order to promote effective learning and therapy practice.
Orlinsky, David E.; Hartmann, Armin; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Willutzki, Ulrike (2022). How pychotherapsts live: The personal and private life of professional healers. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 168–201. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Wiseman, Hadas (2022). Personal therapy. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 148–168. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen (2022). Quality of life. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 82–99. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Schofield, Margot J.; Wiseman, Hadas & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2022). Private Life. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 55–68. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Hartmann, Armin; Heinonen, Erkki & Willutzki, Ulrike (2022). Personal self. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 33–55. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Willutzki, Ulrike; Schröder, Thomas; Heinonen, Erkki & Schofield, Margot J. (2022). Professional psychotherapists. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 14–33. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Schröder, Thomas (2022). Family background. In Orlinsky, David E. (Eds.), How Psychotherapists Live. The Personal Self and Private Life of Professional Healers. Routledge. ISSN 9781032108797. p. 99–125. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen; Orlinsky, David E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2021). The Emotionally Burdened Psychotherapist: Personal and Situational Risk Factors. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. ISSN 0735-7028. 52(5), p. 429–438. doi: 10.1037/pro0000387. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective: Psychotherapists’ experiences of emotional burdens and distress in their personal lives can compromise their professional functioning, as well as undermine their own wellbeing. To identify preventative measures, we need more knowledge about the personal and situational risk factors that contribute to therapists’ emotional burdens. Method: From a large-scale international study of psychotherapists (N = 12,036), we analyzed a scale of Personal Burdens (PB) as a criterion variable with different sets of predictors: (a) age and gender; (b) childhood family functioning (e.g., trauma/abuse; early care quality); (c) dimensions of self (as experienced in close personal relationships); (d) current work satisfaction; and (e) current life stressors (financial and health worries), examining the relative importance of these predictors. Scores on attachment avoidance and anxiety were also included (as Step 6) for a subsample (N = 1,243) which had responded to a standard measure of those dimensions. Finally, we investigated whether the association of personal self (in the full sample) and attachment dimensions (in the subsample) depended on therapist gender and age cohort (Steps 7 & 8). Results: The most salient predictors of therapists’ PB were current worries; early trauma; experiences of self in close relationships (e.g., being demanding and/or reclusive); low work satisfaction; an anxious attachment style (especially for male therapists) and younger age. The model with all predictors explained almost 30% of the variance in PB. Conclusions: Both personality-related and past and current life circumstances contributed to therapists’ emotional burdens. Implications for prevention and selfcare are suggested. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Oddli, Hanne; Mcleod, John; Nissen-Lie, Helene Amundsen; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Halvorsen, Margrethe S. (2021). Future orientation in successful therapies: Expanding the concept of goal in the working alliance. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23108. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Hartmann, Armin; Heinonen, Erkki & Willutzki, Ulrike (2019). The personal self of psychotherapists: Dimensions, correlates, and relations with clients. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22876. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective The personal self of psychotherapists, that is, experiences of self in close personal relationships and its association with therapists' individual and professional attributes is explored. The study aimed to: (a) describe therapists' self‐ratings on specific self‐attributes; (b) determine their dimensionality; (c) explore demographic, psychological, and professional correlates; and (d) assess the convergence with professional self. Method Data from the Development of Psychotherapists Common Core Questionnaire were available for > 10,000 psychotherapists of various professions, theoretical orientations, career levels, and nations. Results Most psychotherapists described themselves in close relationships in affirming terms (e.g., warm/friendly), although a substantial minority also described themselves in negative terms. Factor analyses yielded four dimensions: Genial/Caring, Forceful/Exacting, Reclusive/Remote, and Ardent/Expressive. Being Genial/Caring was associated with life satisfaction. Among professional attributes, personal self‐experiences, and parallel dimensions of relationship with clients correlated strongly. Conclusions Analyses of > 10,000 psychotherapists revealed meaningful variations in personal self relevant to personal and professional life.
Løffler-Stastka, Henriette; Gelo, Omar Carlo Gioacchino; Pleschberger, Ingrid; Hartmann, Armin; Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Psychotherapie-Berufsausbildung in Østerreich: Basis- and soziodemokraphische Hentergrunddate aus einer SPRISTAD-Pilotstudie. Zeitschrift für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie. ISSN 1438-3608. 65, p. 341–352. doi: 10.13109/zptm.2019.65.4.341. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Oddli, Hanne; Benum, Kirsten; Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Gullestad, Siri Erika [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2018). Expanding the Conceptualization of Outcome and Clinical Effectiveness. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. ISSN 0022-0116. 49, p. 87–97. doi: 10.1007/s10879-018-9405-z. Full text in Research Archive
Löﬄer-Stastka, Henriette; Gelo, Omar; Pleschberger, Ingrid; Schröder, Thomas; Orlinsky, David E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2018). Psychotherapieausbildung in Österreich. Teil 1:Basisdaten und soziodemographische Hintergrunddaten aus der SPRISTAD-Studie. Psychopraxis. ISSN 1434-1883. 21(5), p. 227–231. doi: 10.1007/s00739-018-0508-9. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Orlinsky, David E.; Schröder, Thomas A.; Skovholt, Thomas M. & Willutzi, Ulrike (2018). The professional development of counsellors and psychotherapists: Implications of empirical studies for supervision, training and practice. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1473-3145. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1002/capr.12198. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Rønnestad, M. H., Orlinsky, D. E., Schrøder, T. A., Skovholt, T. M., & Willutzki, U. (2018). The professional development of counselors and psychotherapists: Implications of empirical studies for supervision, training and practice”, which has been published in final form at DOI:10.1002/capr.12198. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Pathways towards different long-term outcomes after naturalistic psychotherapy. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. ISSN 1063-3995. 25(2), p. 292–301. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2162. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
This study suggests some potential pathways leading towards maintained gains or further growth versus deterioration after naturalistic psychotherapy with experienced clinicians. This is explored in a way that transcends specific theoretical orientations. Sixteen therapies, all showing reliable improvement on Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 (OQ‐45) at treatment termination but varying in later post‐therapy development, were included in this study. Building on previous content and correlational analyses, individual cases were explored qualitatively in search for developmental patterns of potential relevance for long‐term outcome. Patterns re‐emerging across several cases were described in light of the OQ‐45 trajectories of clients providing them. Six pathways, associated with different long‐term outcomes, emerged. Four of these, “Reflective route towards regulation of affects,” “Gaining autonomy through a secure holding relationship,” “Opening up as a new relational/emotional experience,” and “Lasting acceptance of «reality»,” re‐emerged in clients showing maintained/growing treatment effects. Two pathways, entitled “Residual problems grow and overshadow progress” and “Core problems remain beneath superficial change,” seemed linked to deterioration after termination of therapy. We suggest the former pathways as some possible routes towards enduring good outcome, and the latter as some patterns to avoid when trying to secure therapy gains will not be only temporary.
Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2017). Processes and changes experienced by clients during and after naturalistic good-outcome therapies conducted by experienced psychotherapists. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 27(4), p. 450–468. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2015.1119326. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective: This study explores processes and changes experienced by clients during and after successful naturalistic therapy conducted by experienced psychotherapists. A taxonomy of content is built and presented, before the prevalence, range, and variation of process— and change categories are explored. Method: Sixteen therapies showing reliable improvement (on OQ-45) at treatment termination and having complete follow-up data up to 3–4 years post therapy were selected for this study. Processes and changes were extracted from clients’ reports of important aspects during therapy and semi-structured interviews from termination and follow-up. A procedure allowing for description, organization, and quantification of this material was developed and followed. Results: The totality of processes and changes (36 categories) reported by clients under and after these therapies are described. The most prevalent of these were exploration and more understanding (from session reports); relational quality and ways of thinking/more understanding (from interviews at termination); therapy process continues and situational changes (from follow-up interviews). Conclusions: Findings suggest that the therapies in this privileged sample are operating through a broad range of processes and changes, with all clients appreciating material from a large share of categories.
Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2017). Exploring associations between therapy factors and post-therapy development after naturalistic psychotherapies. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. ISSN 0022-0116. 48(1), p. 15–25. doi: 10.1007/s10879-017-9366-7. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Earlier research on what contributes to long-term outcome after psychotherapy is scarce and scattered. Responding to this, the current study explores potential associations between therapy factors reported as salient by clients in naturalistic psychotherapy and variation in post-therapy-movement. Material from different codes and categories derived from an earlier content analysis was explored in relation to post-therapy-changes on OQ-45. In the first part of the study, two overarching themes (relational aspects and therapeutic operations) were included in a regression analysis of data from 32 clients. In the second part, more nuanced associations between material from different change- or process categories and post-therapy-movement were explored using data from 20 clients that showed reliable improvement at treatment termination but varied in later development. Reports of material related to relational aspects were recurrently associated with post-therapy improvement. Material suggesting that therapy was experienced as not fully complete (e.g., changes being superficial or wish for more treatment), as well as reports of more positive affect, correlated with later deterioration after improvement at termination. Different processes and changes appreciated by clients during therapy seem to vary as predictors of lasting gains.
Larsen, Anne Cecilie; Ulleberg, Pål & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2017). Depersonalization reconsidered: An empirical analysis of the relation between depersonalization and cynicism in an extended version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Nordic Psychology. ISSN 1901-2276. 69(3), p. 160–176. doi: 10.1080/19012276.2016.1227939. Full text in Research Archive
Schröder, Thomas; Orlinsky, David; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Willutzki, Ulrike (2015). Psychotherapeutic Process from the Psychotherapist’s Perspective. In Gelo, Omar Carlo Gioacchino; Pritz, Alfred & Rieken, Bernd (Ed.), Psychotherapy Research: Foundations, Process, and Outcome. Springer. ISSN 9783709113813. p. 351–365. doi: 10.1007/978-3-7091-1382-0_18. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Høglend, Per Andreas; Havik, Odd E.; Solbakken, Ole Andre & Stiles, Tore C [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Love yourself as a person, doubt yourself as a therapist? Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. ISSN 1063-3995. 24(1), p. 48–60. doi: 10.1002/cpp.1977. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2015). Psychotherapists Growing Older: A Study of Senior Practitioners. Journal of Clinical Psychology. ISSN 0021-9762. 71(11), p. 1128–1138. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22223. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Havik, Odd E.; Høglend, Per Andreas; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Monsen, Jon Trygve (2015). Patient and therapist perspectives on alliance development: Therapists' practice experiences as predictors. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. ISSN 1063-3995. 22(4), p. 317–327. doi: 10.1002/cpp.1891. Full text in Research Archive
Oddli, Hanne; Mcleod, John; Reichelt, Sissel & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2014). Strategies used by experienced therapists to explore client goals in early sessions of psychotherapy. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Councelling. ISSN 1364-2537. 16(3), p. 245–266. doi: 10.1080/13642537.2014.927380. Full text in Research Archive
Ulvik, Oddbjørg Skjær & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2013). Cultural Discourses of Helping: Perspectives on What People Bring with Them when They Start Training in Therapy and Counseling, The developing practitioner: Growth and stagnation of therapists and counselors. Routledge. ISSN 9780415884594. p. 37–52. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Monsen, Jon Trygve; Ulleberg, Pål & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2013). Psychotherapists' self-reports of their interpersonal functioning and difficulties in practice as predictors of patient outcome. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 23(1), p. 86–104. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.735775. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2013). Positive and negative cycles of practitioner development: Evidence, concepts and implications from a collaborative quantitative study of psychotherapists, The developing practitioner: Growth and stagnation of therapists and counselors. Routledge. ISSN 9780415884594. p. 265–290. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Havik, Odd E.; Høglend, Per Andreas; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2013). The Contribution of the quality of therapists' personal lives to the development of the working alliance. Journal of Counseling Psychology. ISSN 0022-0167. 60(4), p. 483–495. doi: 10.1037/a0033643. Full text in Research Archive
Skovholt, Thomas M. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2012). The Path Toward Mastery:Phases and Themes of Development. In Skovholt, Thomas M. (Eds.), Becoming a Therapist: On the Path to Mastery. John Wiley & Sons. ISSN 9780470403747. p. 181–202. Full text in Research Archive
Stålsett, Gry; Gude, Tore; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Monsen, Jon Trygve (2012). Existential dynamic therapy ("VITA") for treatment-resistant depression with Cluster C disorder: Matched comparison to treatment as usual. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 22(5), p. 579–591. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.692214. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2012). Evidensbasert praksis – En bekymringsfull styringsideologi? In Gilbert, Sidsel Kari; Stänicke, Erik & Engelstad, Fredrik (Ed.), Psyke, kultur og samfunn: Perspektiver på indre og ytre virkelighet. Abstrakt forlag. ISSN 9788279353324. p. 159–178. Full text in Research Archive
Oddli, Hanne & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2012). How experienced therapists introduce the technical aspects in the initital alliance formation: Powerful decision makers supporting clients' agency. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 22(2), p. 176–193. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2011.633280. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Abstract The initial work on the technical aspects of the working alliance was explored in a naturalistic study of the practices of nine experienced teacher therapists. Using the qualitative method of Grounded theory, eight therapist action descriptions were identified, forming two categories: (1) Supporting the client’s agency: (a) exploring the clients’ solution strategies, (c) underlining the clients’ choice/authority, (d) sharing the basis for the decision, (e) demonstrating collaboration linguistically by hedging; (2) Expressing agency: (a) immediate implementation of method, (b) educating, (c) challenging, (d) constituting oneself as an expert. Implications for the view of therapist power, negotiation, consensus and collaboration are discussed. Keywords: process research; qualitative analysis; experienced therapists; working alliance; tasks; techniques; negotiation; therapist power
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (2011). Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid: En introduksjon. In Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (Ed.), Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215017563. p. 15–26. Full text in Research Archive
Reichelt, Sissel & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2011). Kontraktetablering i veiledning. In Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (Ed.), Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215017563. p. 29–41. Full text in Research Archive
Reichelt, Sissel & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2011). Veiledningsforskning: status og implikasjoner. In Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (Ed.), Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215017563. p. 163–184. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Skovholt, Thomas M. (2011). Om terapeuters profesjonelle utvikling og psykoterapiveiledning i et utviklingsperspektiv. In Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (Ed.), Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215017563. p. 45–66. Full text in Research Archive
Lorentzen, Steinar; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, D. E. (2011). Sources of influence on the professional development of psychologists and psychiatrists in Norway and Germany. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Councelling. ISSN 1364-2537. 13(2), p. 141–152. doi: 10.1080/13642537.2011.570016. Full text in Research Archive
Lippe, Anna Louise von der & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2011). Introduksjon til bokens innhold. In Lippe, Anna Louise Von der & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (Ed.), Det kliniske intervjuet. Bind II. Praksis med ulike klientgrupper. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205399723. p. 15–28. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2010). Therapist predictors of early patient-rated working alliance: A multilevel approach. Psychotherapy Research. ISSN 1050-3307. 20(6), p. 627–646. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2010.497633. Full text in Research Archive
Lorentzen, Steinar; Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2010). Norske psykiatere som psykoterapeuter. Bakgrunn, klinisk erfaring, utdannelse, egenterapi og tilfredshet med jobb og tilværelsen forøvrig. Matrix. Nordisk Tidsskrift for Psykoterapi. ISSN 0109-646X. 4, p. 275–287. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Willutzki, Ulrike (2010). SPR Collaborative Research Program on the Development of Psychotherapists. In Norcross,, John C.; VandenBos, Gary R. & Freedheim, Donald K. (Ed.), History of Psychotherapy: Continuity and change. American Psychological Association (APA). ISSN 9781433807626. p. 375–381. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Willutzki, Ulrike & Tarragona, Margarita (2010). David E. Orlinsky: Developing psychotherapy research, researching psychotherapist development. In Castonguay, Louis G.; Muran, J. Christopher; Angus, Lynne; Hayes, Jeffrey A.; Ladany, Nicholas & Anderson, Timothy (Ed.), Bringing psychotherapy research to life: Understanding change through the work of leading clinical researchers. American Psychological Association (APA). ISSN 9781433807749. p. 233–243. Full text in Research Archive
Reichelt, Sissel; Gullestad, Siri Erika; Hansen, Bjørg Røed; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Torgersen, Anne Mari & Jacobsen, Claus Haugaard [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2009). Nondisclosure in psychotherapy group supervision: The supervisee perspective. Nordic Psychology. ISSN 1901-2276. 61(4), p. 5–27. Full text in Research Archive
Skjerve, Jan; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark; Jacobsen, Claus Haugaard; Gullestad, Siri Erika; Hansen, Bjørg Røed & Reichelt, Sissel [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2009). Nondisclosure in psychotherapy group supervision: The supervisor perspective. Nordic Psychology. ISSN 1901-2276. 61(4), p. 28–48. Full text in Research Archive
Lippe, Anna Louise von der & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2009). Det første kliniske møtet: Tekniske, formelle og interpersonlige aspekter, Det kliniske intervjuet, 2. utgave. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205390737. p. 272–295. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Lippe, Anna Louise von der (2009). Forskningens bidrag til kunnskap om psykoterapi, Det kliniske intervjuet, 2. utgave. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205390737. p. 13–32. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Tjersland, Odd Arne (2009). Å gå til psykololog. In Gullestad, Siri Erika; Killingmo, Bjørn & Magnussen, Svein (Ed.), Klinikk og laboratorium. Psykologi i hundre år. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215015637. p. 267–283. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Lippe, Anna Louise von der (2009). Forskningens bidrag til kunnskap om psykoterapi, Det kliniske intervjuet. Gyldendal Akademisk. p. 23–43. Full text in Research Archive
Lippe, Anna Louise von der & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2009). En oppsummering, Det kliniske intervjuet. Gyldendal Akademisk. p. 613–640. Full text in Research Archive
Nielsen, Geir Høstmark; Jacobsen, Claus Haugaard; Skjerve, Jan; Gullestad, Siri Erika; Hansen, Bjørg Røed & Reichelt, Sissel [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2009). Mutual assumptions and facts about nondisclosure among clinical supervisors and students: A comparative analysis. Nordic Psychology. ISSN 1901-2276. 61(4), p. 49–58. Full text in Research Archive
Nerdrum, Per; Rustøen, Tone & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2009). Psychological Distress Among Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Students: A Longitudinal and Predictive Study. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. ISSN 0031-3831. 53(4), p. 363–378. doi: 10.1080/00313830903043133. Full text in Research Archive

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Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Skovholt, Thomas M. (2013). The developing practitioner: Growth and stagnation of therapists and counselors. Routledge. ISBN 9780415884594. 369 p. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Reichelt, Sissel (2011). Veiledning i psykoterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISBN 9788215017563. 236 p. Full text in Research Archive
Lippe, Anna Louise Von der & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2011). Det kliniske intervjuet. Bind II. Praksis med ulike klientgrupper. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISBN 9788205399723. 355 p. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Lippe, Anna Louise von der (2009). Det kliniske intervjuet. Gyldendal Akademisk. 302 p. Full text in Research Archive

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Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Orlinsky, David E.; Willutzki, Ulrike; Loeffler-Stastka, Henriette; Messina, Irene & Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen (2021). Psychotherapy Trainees' Quality of Life: Demographic and Personal Factors and Implications, panel chaired by Ulrike Willutzki. Discussant. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen; Orlinsky, David E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2021). The emotionally burdened psychotherapist: Personal and situational factors. Paper in panel: The impact of therapist effects: Improving patient outcomes and therapists’ wellbeing, chaired by Michael Barkham. Full text in Research Archive
Apel, Marie-Kristin; Willutzki, Ulrike; Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Childhood traumatic experiences and the development of psychotherapists. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Organizing Collaborative Data Analyses-2. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). On expertise in psychotherapy. [Journal]. The Integrative Therapist, SOCIETY FOR THE INTEGRATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY,. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E.; Hartmann, Armin & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Therapist Characteristics That Predict Positive and Negative Work Involvement with Clients. Full text in Research Archive
Hartmann, Armin; Orlinsky, David E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Therapists Characteristics That Predict Current and Overall Professional Development. Full text in Research Archive
Fernández-Álvarez, Javier; Molinari, Guadalupe; Maristany,, Mariana; Fernández-Álvarez, Héctor & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2018). Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Spanish version of the Brief Supervisory Alliance Scale (Trainee Form). Full text in Research Archive
Oddli, Hanne; Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Mcleod, John; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Halvorsen, Margrethe S. (2017). Goal consensus between client and therapist. A mixed-method study. Full text in Research Archive
Homqvist, Rolf; Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Jørgensen, Carsten René; Broberg, Anders; Gustavsson, Per & Hau, Stephan [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2017). Enfäldiga riktlinjer för behandling av depression. Full text in Research Archive
Axelsen, Eva Dalsgaard; Benum, Kirsten; Bernhardt, Ida S.; Gullestad, Siri Erika; Halvorsen, Margrethe Seeger & Hartmann, Ellen Johanne [Show all 24 contributors for this article] (2017). Historien Psykologtidsskriftet ikke forteller. 54(12), p. 1197–1199. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, D. E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Fraley, Meghan; Jacobsen, Claus Haugaard; Li, Yawen & Nielsen, Jan (2016). Psychotherapists` socioeconomic origins and early Family experience. Full text in Research Archive
Romano, Vera; Orlinsky, D. E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Wiseman, Hadas (2016). Therapeutic orientation, theoretical breadth, and development of early career therapists. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, David E. (2016). Therapists’ early family care, personal therapy, and current life quality: Different tales from different countries. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, David E. (2016). Early family care, personal therapy and current life quality in psychotherapists: The «neutralizing» effect of personal therapy. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Orlinsky, D. E. & Wiseman, Hadas (2016). Professional development and personal therapy. In Norcross, John C.; VandenBos, Gary R. & Freedheim, Donald K. (Ed.), APA Handbook of Clinical Psychology,Vol. 5., Education and Profession. American Psychological Association. ISSN 9781433821295. p. 223–235. doi: 10.1037/14774/-000. Full text in Research Archive
Orlinsky, David E.; Schofield, Margot & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2016). Early family experience, adult attachment style, and personal self in close relationships. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, D. E. (2016). Family-of-Origin Economic Wellbeing & Family Functioning, Early Care and Childhood Trauma or Abuse. Read by Orlinsky. Full text in Research Archive
Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2015). Treatment factors of potential relevance to long-term outcome: -An exploration from the clients’ perspective. Full text in Research Archive
Strauss, Bernhard; Orlinsky, D. E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Castonguay, Louis G.; Hill, Clara & Taubner, Svenja [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Longitudinal study of psychotherapy training: Implementing a collaborative international multisite project: Preconference workshop of SPR-Interest Section for Training and Development. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2015). How supervisors help therapist trainees help clients change/Discussant. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Skovholt, Thomas M. (2015). The professional development of psychotherapists and counsellors: A tribute to professor Norman C. Gysbers. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2015). Therapist factors/therapist expertise. Discussant. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Pre-conference workshop for Society for Psychotherapy Research Interest Section for Psychotherapy Training and Development (SPRISTAD)
Orlinsky, D. E. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2015). Psychotherapists growing older: A study of senior practitioners. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, D. E. (2014). Grounded Theory of Psychotherapist Development. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Gullestad, Siri Erika; Halvorsen, Margrethe; Haavind, Hanne; Lippe, Anna Louise von der & Nissen-Lie, Helene A [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2014). The outcomes of therapies conducted by highly experienced therapists. Full text in Research Archive
Ekroll, Vidar Blokhus & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2014). Paths to different post-therapy movements: A mixed methods follow-up study. Full text in Research Archive
Halvorsen, Margrethe S.; Benum, Kirsten; Haavind, Hanne; Lippe, Anna Louise Von der; Nissen-Lie, Helene A & Oddli, Hanne [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2014). How does alliance work develop in phases of psychotherapy? Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Monsen, Jon Trygve (2014). The therapist as a person and as a professional: How does this interplay affect patient outcome of psychotherapy? Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Høglend, Per Andreas; Monsen, Jon Trygve; Havik, Odd E.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Solbakken, Ole Andre [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2013). Therapists' experiences of difficulties inpractice and their self-images (introjects). Does the interplay between thesefactors affect patient outcome from psychotherapy? Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Havik, Odd. E.; Monsen, Jon Trygve; Høglend, Per Andreas & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2012). Therapists' personal lives and alliance development. Full text in Research Archive
Halvorsen, Margrethe S.; Rønnestad, Michael Helge; Lippe, Anna Louise Von der; Axelsen, Eva; Haavind, Hanne & Gullestad, Siri Erika [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2010). Convergence of alliance ratings in a sample of highly experienced teacher-therapists and their clients. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Orlinsky, David E. (2010). Healing involvement and stressful involvement in early career therapists: Key factors in professional development. Full text in Research Archive
Oddli, Hanne & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2010). Looking for goal consensus - finding motivational, engaging dialogues: Challenging the concept of goal consensus in the initial phase of psychotherapy. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A; Monsen, Jon Trygve & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2010). The influence of therapists' self-reported characteristics on patient outcome from therapy. Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge & Lippe, Anna Louise von der (2009). Forord, Det kliniske intervjuet, 2. utgave. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205390737. p. 5–6. Full text in Research Archive
Romano, Vera; Orlinsky, David E.; Wiseman, Hadas & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2009). Theoretical Breadth Early in the Psychotherapist's Career: Help or Hindrance? Full text in Research Archive
Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2016). Is expertise in psychotherapy a useful construct? Psychotherapy Bulletin, Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, Division 29 of the American Psychological Association. Full text in Research Archive
Nissen-Lie, Helene A & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2016). The empirical evidence for psychotherapist humility as a foundation for psychotherapist expertise. Psychotherapy Bulletin, Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy; div. 29 of the American Psychological Association. Full text in Research Archive
Oddli, Hanne; Halvorsen, Margrethe S. & Rønnestad, Michael Helge (2014). Expertise demonstrated: What does it mean to be an expert psychotherapist? Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, Div 29 of the American Psychological Association. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Sep. 27, 2010 3:50 PM - Last modified Mar. 21, 2023 10:18 AM

Research groups

Studies of Process and Outcome in psychotherapies with Experienced Therapists (POET)