Scott Miller

Professional Life
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., is a renowned writer, psychologist and founder of the Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change, an organization comprised of mental health professionals committed to advocating excellence in behavioral health. He is a practicing therapist and often works pro bono to offer services to the financially underprivileged. Miller developed Client-Directed Outcome-Informed, or Outcome-Focused, Psychotherapy. He travels the world conducting training seminars and has offered his expertise to organizations including the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. Miller’s winning approach, that uses humor and an engaging style, has made him a sought after presenter and continues to inspire peers, practitioners, and patients.

Contribution to Psychology
Developed by Scott D. Miller, Client-Directed Outcome-Informed Therapy relies on two fundamental principles:

1) a strong client-therapist bond;

2) client feedback and input.

By taking the client’s feedback into consideration, a therapist can redirect the therapy course to better meet the client’s needs. Clinicians use various assessment tools to gauge progress and obtain feedback, but the most widely used measures are the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and the Session Rating Scale (SRS). The ORS, which is completed at the beginning of therapy, is designed to help a therapist assess what has occurred since the last session and allows a therapist to determine if the present course of action should be maintained or modified. Additionally, the OSR helps identify any external conditions that may be impairing forward progress.

The SRS is the tool used at the end of each session and results in an assessment of the day’s work. The scales are made up of only four questions but have proven to be extremely effective for facilitating effective therapy. Research has shown that incorporating client feedback into the therapeutic process can reduce client non-compliance by up to 65%. The goal of Client-Directed Outcome-Informed Therapy is to empower the client to guide their own healing. In this capacity, the client maintains control over setting the goals for therapy, and is directly responsible for designing the path to achieve those goals.

Dr. Miller Featured on GoodTherapy.org

In May, 2011 Scott Miller presented What Works in Therapy: Translating 40 Years of Outcome Research, a GoodTherapy.org Web Conference available to clinicians for CE Credits.

Books by Scott Miller

Scott Miller has written dozens articles. His books include:

• Psychotherapy with Impossible Cases: Efficient Treatment of Therapy Veterans
• The Heart and Soul of Change: Common Factors in the Human Services
• The Heroic Client: Principles of Client-Directed, Outcome-Informed Clinical Work