How do we know if and when we’re getting better at what we do? It’s a seemingly simple question, but there are some fields—like psychotherapy—in which measuring progress and outcomes, and then applying that information to practice, is harder to do than in other fields. For example, in math, it’s pretty clear-cut—either the answer to a specific problem is right or wrong, although the process by which you get to the answer may differ. But when it comes to the mental health profession, how do we measure clinical mastery? How do we measure when we’re “right” and when we’re “wrong?” And is the process we use—the specific methods and techniques—significant or not?

Scott Miller, the founder of the International Center for Clinical Excellence, has been a driving force in applying the science of expertise to the practicalities of the consulting room. He coauthored a feature article on clinical excellence in our May 2011 issue, offered a session on the same topic in our webcast series on excellence, and will be presenting the luncheon address on Friday—“Charting Your Path to Clinical Excellence”—at the upcoming March Symposium.

Here are some of the questions he’ll be discussing in his luncheon keynote. Although there’s been a boom in resources on the field of psychotherapy during the last few decades, have individual therapists actually gotten better? Are we getting better as a field? How do we measure our progress as therapists and clients’ progress with their treatment goals? How do we then take what we’ve learned and apply it to becoming better therapists?

Hear Miller present in person to learn the answers to these important questions and much more. Want to hear even more details? He’ll also be presenting a workshop on Friday at Symposium 2012 to go more in-depth on the subject. Learning about Miller’s insights and applying these methods in your practice may forever change the way you work with clients and think about therapy.

Over the last 35 years, one of the most noteworthy aspects of the Networker Symposium has been the depth and wisdom of the keynoters who address the conference. This year’s Symposium is no exception.

Opening the conference with a morning keynote on Friday is Andrew Weil, the world’s leading proponent of integrative medicine. He’ll be discussing the meaning of integrative mental health and how therapists can enrich their knowledge and understandings to help clients—and themselves—achieve optimal health. To learn more about integrative mental health, see the recent Networker article on his work here.

Next will be Scott Miller’s luncheon address on “Charting Your Path to Clinical Excellence,” a topic that’s been much discussed in the Networker community during this past year. He’ll share what research is showing us about how to achieve excellence, and how we can apply these understandings to gain mastery in the consulting room, as well as in our personal lives.

Mary Pipher has achieved national renown as the author of Reviving Ophelia, and she will be inspiring attendees as the Saturday morning keynote speaker. Her subject—“Facing the Challenge of 21st-Century Activism” is a compelling presentation of her vision of  the many ways therapists can influence the world-at-large and why doing so can make us feel more joyous, connected, and empowered.

Pat Ogden will be Saturday’s luncheon address speaker and she’ll cover her transforming, trailblazing work that incorporating bodywork in psychotherapy.

Later that day, Jane Fonda will be speaking with Networker Editor Rich Simon about her life, career, and beliefs about how to improve your life while growing older. Yes, that’s right… Jane Fonda will be at the Networker Symposium! You really won’t want to miss this conference and especially not this particular dinner event.

Finally, Sunday holds even more opportunities for discovery, as brain science pioneer Dan Siegel will be discussing whether our growing knowledge about brain science is making us wiser. If you’ve never heard Dan Siegel speak before—or even if you have—his presentations are always a treat.

For more information about the incredible lineup of Symposium 2012 speakers, click here. Make sure to check back for more Symposium blogs soon—this blog will continue to give you a detailed view of the people and events coming up at Symposium 2012. Whether or not you decide to travel to Washington, D.C. this spring, it’s definitely worth knowing about all the exciting features this year’s conference has to offer.