Who is an expert in their field of endeavour? One theory is the 10,000 hour rule. First proposed by Psychologist Anders Ericsson, the 10,000 rule became popularised by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2008 book Outliers, in which Gladwell articulates the idea that you can achieve world class skill in a certain endeavour by practicing it for 10,000 hours. Gladwell’s version of the 10,000 rule is not without its critics, including Anders Ericsson, who distinguishes between three different forms of “practice”, and expresses that it is “deliberate” practice (which is goal oriented and regularly reviewed) that is needed in order for the 10,000 rule to approach validity.

I have worked primarily with children and young people recovering from a tough start to life for 29 years. A conservative estimate of the number of hours I have spent in conversation with this client population is 25,000 hours (based on number of client contact hours per day, week, year). According to the 10,000 hour rule, I might consider claiming expertise about children and young people recovering from a tough start to life. However, it is possible to practice in a repetitive fashion, applying psychological techniques to treat a presenting problem or diagnosable condition. If this is all that I have done, I might claim to have some expertise in the delivery of certain techniques.

Rather, I have always chosen a different path; of treating the person as well as the problem. To treat the person you need to connect deeply with them, entering into their experience. Though commonalities exist, each child or young person treated is a unique person. Though I have not treated 25,000 children and young people, I have had approximately that number of conversations about their experience of life and relationships, including their relationship with themselves and how they see the world.

In these circumstances, I might claim to have a good understanding of the experience of children and young people recovering from a tough start to life. However, I might only consider that idea if I have spent considerable time reflecting on my practice, my goals and methods, and the experience of each young person. This, I have done too, and have encapsulated insights gathered in the books, programs, articles, and videos I have made along the way.

Across 29 years I might also have spent more than 10,000 hours in conversation with adult stakeholders in the lives of children and young people recovering from a tough start to life. And, I don’t intend to stop soon.

If you are interested in what I have learnt, check out my books, articles, and more can be accessed via my website and this site, and my YouTube channel. If you are interested in engaging me as a supervisor for yourself or your team, do get in touch.