What Are the Most Important Factors in Making Therapy Work

Many clients (and therapists!) are surprised by what makes therapy work. Although there is debate and different opinions, when the research is examined in context there are two broad factors that account for most of the change that occurs in therapy: 1) Client Factors and 2) The Therapy Relationship. Let’s take a brief look at each of these.

Client Factors

Client factors are the most important predictors of successful therapy. In other words, you are the most important part of your own therapy. But what does this mean? This will be explored more through this blog over time. However, in brief, the research on therapy suggests that if you believe that therapy will work and are committed to therapy, there is a good chance that if will be successful. Of course, there are many things that help you, the client, accomplish these things, which is a primary reason for developing this blog series.

The Therapy Relationship

The main reason why I feature a section on my website on choosing the right therapist is because this is so vital to the success of therapy. However, many people go about choosing the right therapist based on reasons that may not be the most important factors. For example, the approach to therapy, years of experience, and accomplishments of the therapist are not as important as how comfortable you feel with the therapist. The most skilled and talented therapist is not likely to help you if you do not feel comfortable with them and cannot build a relationship build on trust and safety. Thus, while it is good to look at a therapist’s approach and experience, it is more important to consider whether these factors fit with you.

Conclusion

In the coming blogs I will share more specific aspects of what client factors and aspects of the therapy relationship tend to be helpful in making therapy work. Other topics, too, will be considered. Not every blog will be relevant to every client. The brief format of the blogs allow consumers to pick and choose what they feel will be helpful.