Table 1.

The overarching principles of the skills training process.

Principle	Description
1) Skills training is an action-oriented treatment process	Treatment benefit will require client action.
2) Skills training requires a client-centered, working, relationship	Action-oriented therapeutic work requires a strong working relationship.
3) Skills training is grounded in a shared goal, which provides an explicit rationale for the learning process	The foundation of a working relationship is a shared goal, which justifies the importance of each action-oriented therapeutic task.
4) Skills training attends to client ambivalence as a natural part of the behavior change process	Although action is required for benefit, ambivalence may arise and should be attended to throughout the skills-training process.
5) Skills training facilitates integration of a new behavioral norm	The goal is uptake and integration of learned coping skills.
6) Skills training attends to client self-efficacy as a foundation component of successful behavior change	Practicing new behaviors is difficult and requires client self-efficacy; the skills-training process attends to and facilitates this needed client attribute.
7) Skills training requires structure and time management to ensure reinforcement of client learning	The skills-training therapist should always be clear they have the time required for sufficient attention to a given topic; they should manage the time well to ensure all elements of the teaching process are addressed.
8) Skills training involves teaching that is clear, interactive, and personally relevant to the client	Skills training is an educational process; the skills-training therapist should always be clear, should query client input, and should tailor learning content to client world view, needs and circumstances.
9) Skills training involves practice that is consistent, reinforced, and personally relevant to the client	What distinguishes skills training from psychoeducation is the practice component; the skills-training therapist should be prepared to engage in consistent and personally-tailored practice exercises.
10) The skills-training therapist is active, informed, engaged, compassionate, and detail-oriented	The skills-training therapist must demonstrate many qualities simultaneously, including being both flexible and client-centered as well as structured and detail-oriented.