Therapy Outcome Research and Curative Factors

Question 1

Efficacy studies:

Answer 1

compare therapy vs. comparison group under well controlled conditions

Question 2

Effectiveness studies:

Answer 2

look at how patients in the field under real conditions (poorer internal validity)

Question 3

Consumer reports:

Answer 3

• treatment by mental health professionals usually works
• long-term treatment is better than short term
• no difference between psychotherapy alone vs. psychotherapy with meds

Question 4

Why do we do research on psychotherapy?

Answer 4

• accountability to managed care
• insurance companies
• funding sources

Question 5

Orlinsky and Howard (1978) study on curative factors of psychotherapy

Answer 5

12 of 15 studies, patients perceptions of empathy was critical importance in how beneficial they perceived therapy to be

Question 6

Strupp (1989) on curative factors

Answer 6

found that the emotional connection between therapist and patient was most vital curative factor