There are three main ingredients to treatment success; client characteristics, the use of evidence-based practice and the therapeutic relationship. The best therapeutic outcomes occur when the clients are motivated and committed to the therapeutic process. The use of evidence-based practice in combination with a sound therapeutic relationship – the client and the therapist working collaboratively, also contribute to treatment success.
Client Characteristics
Of the three key ingredients, what most impacts on good treatment outcomes are client factors (Miller, Duncan & Hubble, 2004). The clients’ commitment to the therapeutic process, their willingness to be brave and address their fears and their motivation to follow through with homework tasks can make an enormous difference to therapeutic outcomes. What clients put into therapy can pay dividends.
Evidence-Based practice
Evidence-based practice is also fundamental to good outcomes. Clients can have peace of mind that the therapeutic approach they will undergo is based on an extensive literature and science of what works in therapy (Castonguay & Beutler, 2006). At the Centre for Clinical Psychology, all staff are trained in best-practice approaches recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. Clients who have experienced trauma and PTSD, for example, can participate in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), recognised as one of the best-practice approaches to PTSD treatment (The APS, 2018).
The therapeutic relationship
The therapeutic relationship has long been regarded as integral to the treatment success and is also very important, although not as important as previously thought (8 % treatment effect verse 30%, Horvath, 2011). Despite this change of view, the therapeutic relationship is still a sanctuary for clients who need confidentiality and a safe place to reflect honestly.
References
Castonguay, L. G., & Beutler, L. E. (Eds.). (2005). Principles of therapeutic change that work. Oxford University Press.
Horvath, A. O., Del Re, A. C., Flückiger, C., & Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in individual psychotherapy.
Mille, S.D., Duncan B.L. & Hubble M.A. (2004) Beyond Integration: the triumph of Outcome over Process in Clinical Practice. Psychotherapy in Australia, 10(2), 32-41, 73-80
The Australian Psychological Society (2018) Evidence-based Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental Disorders: A Review of the Literature Fourth Edition
