The Psychological Value of Competence

And how it changes therapeutic outcomes.

One thing I noticed over years of clinical work is that patients who are genuinely good at something — anything, really — often have a better prognosis in psychotherapy.

They have a sturdier platform to stand on. They do better when the psychological work of finding themselves and life’s meaning becomes difficult. Not always. But this matters.

Being really good at anything—competent—in school, sports, arts, music, mechanically inclined, video games, or even looking attractive, matters.

Competence touches almost every dimension of how life unfolds. It often signals unrecognized psychological strengths that can be mobilized from one area and applied to other areas of life. For example, being captain of a sports teams can be translated into becoming a community leader.

The Effect of Competence

Competence helps create an identity and internal sturdiness that affects how patient’s carry themselves. It shifts how others see them and decreases the need for external validation.

Regularly reminding patients of their talents, skills, and strengths boost their confidence. It helps them to face the challenges while in psychotherapy. For example, the talented musician who tolerates endless rehearsal, will learn to tolerate frustration, regulate emotion, and delay gratifications. These will be useful traits while undergoing psychotherapy and for healthy living.

State of Flow

Excelling in one area often leads to new opportunities by creating the state of flow. Flow is the state of being absorbed or deeply immerse in an activity where you feel powerful, totally present and engaged with life. Flow experiences are strongly associated with wellbeing and low rates of depression and anxiety.

Mastery of one skill can also empower you to take charge of your life. People with true competence are less fearful of uncertainty, report higher job satisfaction, earn more, and usually enjoy closer relationships.

A Caution

Confidence in only one area, builds self-esteem but it is still only one part of a strong identity. Over-reliance on one skill can make you vulnerable to setbacks from an episode of poor performance or being outdone by someone else. Changes in your ability from illness, injury, or aging can feel like an existential threat to who you are. A robust sense of self comes more broadly from strong relationships, honorable values and morals, a rich inner life as a constant resource, the ability to accurately mentalize others, and create a narrative story which help you to find purpose and build a meaningful life.

---

Robert E. Feinstein, MD

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst, Educator, and Supervisor Contact: Feinster@RobFeinsteinMD.com

Owner & Founder Empathian LLC ( An Online Mental Health Education Company) Empathian.com

Add me on LinkedIn.