The Common Factors of Therapy
To many, what works in therapy is a mystery. Why is talking to someone so helpful for people? How do we change? What does a therapist or consultant do that helps someone improve their life? Well, there are many answers to this. Some would say it is all about experience, others would say a particular technique is important. Luckily we have decades of research that tells us exactly what works in therapy or consultation and it may surprise you. The following information is from "The Heart and Soul of Change: Delivering What Works in Therapy" edited by: Barry Duncan, Scott Miller, Bruce Wampold, and Mark Hubble.
The single most important factor in determining the out come of therapy is the client! This means that what the client brings into the work, their life circumstances, and their interest and motivation to change accounts for about 40% of the outcome. In other words 40% of why therapy works or doesn't can be attributed to the client. Wow, that's a big chunk and a lot of responsibility. This is so important for clients to remember. If you are not ready to change or have life circumstances that are barriers to change the best therapist in the world is going to be of limited help.
That being said, the second most important factor in determining whether consultation or therapy is effective is the therapeutic relationship. This means that just establishing a warm, empathic relationship with a client is a major factor in whether or not consultation has a positive outcome. The relationship accounts for about 30% of why consultation works or doesn't. So, clients - this means it's important that you feel like you have a good relationship with your consultant or therapist. If you're not feeling it - move on. Remember you are the client paying someone for their services, there's no reason to continue a service you are not satisfied with. Trust me, clients leave consulting and counseling relationships all the time, it is our job not to take it personally.
A client's expectations account for about 15% of the outcome of counseling. If you think it will be effective this will increase the likeliness that counseling will be effective. Again this means it's important that you as the client agree with your consultant or counselor's approach.
The final 15% of outcome difference can be attributed to specific techniques or interventions that the consultant or therapist uses. Examples are: using mindfulness exercises, using a particular treatment manual for a specific problem, or having clients engage in therapeutic art activities. Any of these techniques can be effective or not. Remember that you and the relationship with the therapist are more important than what the consultant actually does.
The single most important factor in determining the out come of therapy is the client! This means that what the client brings into the work, their life circumstances, and their interest and motivation to change accounts for about 40% of the outcome. In other words 40% of why therapy works or doesn't can be attributed to the client. Wow, that's a big chunk and a lot of responsibility. This is so important for clients to remember. If you are not ready to change or have life circumstances that are barriers to change the best therapist in the world is going to be of limited help.
That being said, the second most important factor in determining whether consultation or therapy is effective is the therapeutic relationship. This means that just establishing a warm, empathic relationship with a client is a major factor in whether or not consultation has a positive outcome. The relationship accounts for about 30% of why consultation works or doesn't. So, clients - this means it's important that you feel like you have a good relationship with your consultant or therapist. If you're not feeling it - move on. Remember you are the client paying someone for their services, there's no reason to continue a service you are not satisfied with. Trust me, clients leave consulting and counseling relationships all the time, it is our job not to take it personally.
A client's expectations account for about 15% of the outcome of counseling. If you think it will be effective this will increase the likeliness that counseling will be effective. Again this means it's important that you as the client agree with your consultant or counselor's approach.
The final 15% of outcome difference can be attributed to specific techniques or interventions that the consultant or therapist uses. Examples are: using mindfulness exercises, using a particular treatment manual for a specific problem, or having clients engage in therapeutic art activities. Any of these techniques can be effective or not. Remember that you and the relationship with the therapist are more important than what the consultant actually does.