Changes: Nonspecific factors in psychological therapy

Revision as of 10:26, 11 January 2007

Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·

While much attention has been paid to the effectiveness of various "brands" of therapy there is a growing understanding that therapeutic change occurs due to a number of nonspecific factors that are not exclusive to any one approach.

Jerome Frank's work

In the various editions of his book "Persuasion and Healing" Jerome Frank argued that psychotherapeutic change is predominantly due to a number of nonspecific factors which are focused by the development of the relationship between the patient and the healer. Frank thought that the clients demoralization and hopelessness resulting from their failure to tackle their symptoms was one of the main obstacles to enabling them to unlock their own resources and improve. He felt that a benign helping relationship boosting their morale would enable them to hope again and recommit themselves to the changes necessary. He identified the nonspecific factors in the therapeutic relationship as:

Feeling understood
Being respected
Having someone be interested
Being encouraged to face the difficulties and overcome them.
Being accepted
Being forgiven

He further

Books

Miller,S.D. Duncan,B.L. & Hubble,M.A. (1997).Escape from Babel: Toward a Unifying Language for Psychotherapy Practice.W W Norton, New York.ISBN 0393702197

Papers

Oei T.P.S.; Shuttlewood G.J.(1996) Specific and nonspecific factors in psychotherapy: A case of cognitive therapy for depression. Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 16,2,83-103(21)
Omer,H and London, P (1989)Signal and noise in psychotherapy. The role and control of non-specific factors. British Journal of Psychiatry 155: 239-245
Parloff MB (1986). Frank's "common elements" in psychotherapy: nonspecific factors and placebos.Am J Orthopsychiatry,56(4):521-30.
Strupp HH (1970). Specific vs nonspecific factors in psychotherapy and the problem of control.Arch Gen Psychiatry. Nov;23(5):393-401.PMID 5478565

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{ClinPsy}}
-While much attention has been paid to the effectiveness of various brands of therapy there is a growing understanding that therapeutic change occurs due to a number of nonspecific factors that are not exclusive to any one approach.
+While much attention has been paid to the effectiveness of various "brands" of therapy there is a growing understanding that therapeutic change occurs due to a number of nonspecific factors that are not exclusive to any one approach.
+==Jerome Frank's work==
+In the various editions of his book "[[Persuasion and Healing]]" [[Jerome Frank]] argued that psychotherapeutic change is predominantly due to a number of nonspecific factors which are focused by the development of the relationship between the patient and the healer. Frank thought that the clients [[demoralization]] and [[hopelessness]] resulting from their failure to tackle their symptoms was one of the main obstacles to enabling them to unlock their own resources and improve. He felt that a benign helping relationship boosting their [[morale]] would enable them to [[hope]] again and recommit themselves to the changes necessary.
+He identified the nonspecific factors in the [[therapeutic relationship]] as:
+*Feeling understood
+*Being respected
+*Having someone be interested
+*Being encouraged to face the difficulties and overcome them.
+*Being accepted
+*Being forgiven
+He further