Art of Psychotherapy Essay -- therapeutic relationship

I believe that the art of psychotherapy is more important than empirically validated treatments (EVT). I feel that the art of psychotherapy lies in the common factors, which include the therapeutic relationship, client and therapist factors (e.g., personality), helping clients deal with problems, and hope or expectancy factors (Reisner, 2005). Although I do believe that empirically validated treatments may enhance the therapeutic process, the treatments themselves are by no means the most important or fundamental aspects of therapy. There appears, at least to me, to be much more of an art involved in developing the relationship with the client and understanding the client’s perspective. It takes art and skill of a therapist to examine, explore, or understand the self and another person. I agree with the idea presented by Allen (2008) that scientific knowledge is important, but it is not sufficient for the successful outcomes in psychotherapy. If a therapist cannot develop a re lationship and understand the client, then it is unlikely that individualized techniques could be successfully applied. Psychotherapy could easily exist as an art form if it were not for managed care. Managed care has not completely eradicated the art of psychotherapy at this point in time; however, as more research reveals EVT are applicable to more disorders, then the art of psychotherapy will likely decline in existence. This would occur due to managed care’s preferences for the use of EVT, since there is evidence that they work and likely work quickly, saving time and money. In order to receive reimbursement and compete with psychopharmacology there is a growing necessity for the reliance on empirically validated therapy (Reisner, 2005). Psychotherapy... ...ong with any necessary treatment measures (Scaturo, 2001). All types of therapy approaches are getting at the same problems of the client in an effort to alleviate them. The only real difference is they â€Å"process† that is that is involved. A discrepancy in treatment and the outcome is created if clinical expertise alone, research findings (EVTs) alone, or patient preference alone determines the treatments that the client gets (Reisner, 2005). Therapy involves both science (empirically validated treatments) and art by combining the relationship, knowledge of the client’s needs with the proper treatment techniques. Overall, I do not feel that manualized treatments will ever completely replace the art of psychotherapy; however, it is likely that the combination of manualized treatments and the art of psychotherapy will lead to more successful therapeutic outcomes. Art of Psychotherapy Essay -- therapeutic relationship I believe that the art of psychotherapy is more important than empirically validated treatments (EVT). I feel that the art of psychotherapy lies in the common factors, which include the therapeutic relationship, client and therapist factors (e.g., personality), helping clients deal with problems, and hope or expectancy factors (Reisner, 2005). Although I do believe that empirically validated treatments may enhance the therapeutic process, the treatments themselves are by no means the most important or fundamental aspects of therapy. There appears, at least to me, to be much more of an art involved in developing the relationship with the client and understanding the client’s perspective. It takes art and skill of a therapist to examine, explore, or understand the self and another person. I agree with the idea presented by Allen (2008) that scientific knowledge is important, but it is not sufficient for the successful outcomes in psychotherapy. If a therapist cannot develop a re lationship and understand the client, then it is unlikely that individualized techniques could be successfully applied. Psychotherapy could easily exist as an art form if it were not for managed care. Managed care has not completely eradicated the art of psychotherapy at this point in time; however, as more research reveals EVT are applicable to more disorders, then the art of psychotherapy will likely decline in existence. This would occur due to managed care’s preferences for the use of EVT, since there is evidence that they work and likely work quickly, saving time and money. In order to receive reimbursement and compete with psychopharmacology there is a growing necessity for the reliance on empirically validated therapy (Reisner, 2005). Psychotherapy... ...ong with any necessary treatment measures (Scaturo, 2001). All types of therapy approaches are getting at the same problems of the client in an effort to alleviate them. The only real difference is they â€Å"process† that is that is involved. A discrepancy in treatment and the outcome is created if clinical expertise alone, research findings (EVTs) alone, or patient preference alone determines the treatments that the client gets (Reisner, 2005). Therapy involves both science (empirically validated treatments) and art by combining the relationship, knowledge of the client’s needs with the proper treatment techniques. Overall, I do not feel that manualized treatments will ever completely replace the art of psychotherapy; however, it is likely that the combination of manualized treatments and the art of psychotherapy will lead to more successful therapeutic outcomes.