Does Psychotherapy Really Work?

Studies of Effectiveness Surveys and studies 75 to 90 percent of those treated say they improved Longer a person stays in therapy, the better the improvement No one method effective for all problems but certain therapies are better for certain problems Are self-reports the most reliable assessment of therapy? There are numerous problems with studying the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Controlled studies can be done using an experimental group of people who receive a particular psychotherapy and a control group of people put on a waiting list, but the control group is not getting the attention from the therapist and so there would be no placebo-effect expectations about getting better because of therapy. Studies that do not use empirical procedures are plagued by problems such as experimenter bias, the inaccuracies of self-report information, and placebo-effect expectations. In the 1950s, Hans Eysenck did one of the earliest studies of the effectiveness of therapy. He concluded that the people receiving psychotherapy did not recover at any higher rate than those who had no psychotherapy and that the passage of time alone could account for all recovery. More-recent surveys have shown that people who have received psychotherapy believe that they have been helped more often than not. Mastering13.32

Studies of Effectiveness How does a person with a problem know what type of therapist to go to? What’s in it for me: Finding a Therapist if you need one. Teen Lifeline: 602.248.8336 Call 24/7 or text between 3:00 – 9:00 pm There are numerous problems with studying the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Controlled studies can be done using an experimental group of people who receive a particular psychotherapy and a control group of people put on a waiting list, but the control group is not getting the attention from the therapist and so there would be no placebo-effect expectations about getting better because of therapy. Studies that do not use empirical procedures are plagued by problems such as experimenter bias, the inaccuracies of self-report information, and placebo-effect expectations. In the 1950s, Hans Eysenck did one of the earliest studies of the effectiveness of therapy. He concluded that the people receiving psychotherapy did not recover at any higher rate than those who had no psychotherapy and that the passage of time alone could account for all recovery. More-recent surveys have shown that people who have received psychotherapy believe that they have been helped more often than not. Mastering13.32

Outcome Research Those undergoing therapy are more likely to improve more quickly, and with less risk of relapse.

Outcome Research Cost effective: those seeking treatment tend to have fewer medical appointments.

Characteristics of Effective Therapy Matching therapy to client and problem Therapeutic alliance: Warm, caring, accepting, empathic, respectful relationship between therapist and client Protected setting Opportunity for catharsis Learning and practice of new behaviors Positive experiences The common factors approach is a modern approach to eclecticism and focuses on those factors common to successful outcomes from different forms of therapy. These factors are seen as the source of the success rather than specific differences among therapies. Evidence-based practice includes systematic reviews of relevant and valid information that ranges from assessment to intervention. Examples of evidence-based, or empirically validated, treatments: Exposure therapies, cognitive–behavioral, and cognitive processing for PTSD Cognitive–behavioral treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia Cognitive–behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder Cognitive therapy for depression Antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia Mastering13.30

Culture, Ethnic, and Gender concerns in Psychotherapy

Culture, Gender and Values Therapists differ from one another and may differ from their clients These differences can become significant when a therapist from one culture or gender meets a client from another

Culture, Gender and Values An empathetic, trusting, caring relationship Effective therapists are empathetic people who seek to understand, communicate care and concern, and offer assurance and trusting advice.

Culture, Gender and Values What differences in culture could affect psychotherapy? What differences in ethnicity could affect psychotherapy? What differences in gender could affect psychotherapy? What differences in religion could affect psychotherapy? What other differences could affect psychotherapy?