Presented by: Jon Allen, PhD

Decades of research shows that factors common to various therapies contribute more to their effectiveness than the differences among them. These common factors pertain largely to the quality of the patient-therapist relationship. Prototypical are the Rogerian triad (empathy, positive regard, and genuineness) and the extensively researched therapeutic alliance. These factors are commonly understood in an instrumental fashion: establish a good relationship to facilitate the real work of the therapy (whatever that might be). Contrarily, we might view cultivating relational capacities as the essential work and optimal outcome of the therapy insofar as these capacities generalize to other relationships—current and future. This presentation illustrates with four uncommonly considered factors: attachment, mentalizing, trust, and care—and a fifth factor that is both common and unique to each therapy, the therapist.

CE