The framework for integrating common and specific factors in therapy: A resolution

Abstract

A framework for integrating common and specific factors in therapy is provided in this study. The key to integration is employing the common factors as fundamental principles; meanwhile, incorporating a specific model and unique techniques carefully to respond to the client's needs, demographic variables, and ethnic/cultural characteristics. The four major constructs of common factors (that is, client characteristics, therapist characteristics, process of change, and therapeutic context) are discussed. The four important therapy paradigms (analytic-dynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanisticexperiential, and systemic therapies), in which the important specific factors are derived from, are also delineated. The author revised and extended the generic model and the process-based model to provide a better framework in understanding both types of factors. The main features of these two models have been integrated within the three phases: pre-therapy, process of therapy and post-therapy. In order to enhance the optimal effectiveness of therapy, the integration should follow three principles: using the findings of empirical studies, matching the client's variables, and responding to the notion of multicultural counseling. Implications for therapy research, training/education and clinical practice are highlighted.

The Meaning of the Physical Environment in Child and Adolescent Therapy: A Qualitative Study of the Outdoor Care Retreat

“…The effect of psychotherapy has traditionally been seen as a combination of unique factors and non-specific common factors. Research on common factors in therapy has mainly focused on qualities in the therapist, the relationship, or the patient (Finsrud, 2022;Lin, 2016;Wampold, 2015), but little attention has been given to the meaning of the physical environment. Safe, healing settings may elicit positive expectations for therapy (Frank & Frank, 1991;Noble & Devlin, 2021).…”

“…This study adds important perspectives to the literature on common factors influencing therapy (Finsrud et. al, 2022;Lin, 2016), which has traditionally overlooked the physical setting. Study findings demonstrate how the physical environment-through its affordances-influences these common factors.…”

“…Study findings demonstrate how the physical environment-through its affordances-influences these common factors. The perceived client and therapist characteristics (Lin, 2016) are especially influenced through what is captured by the "situations of opportunity" and "role/identity" themes. The OCR makes the situation and the roles more equal, natural, and playful, thereby altering how the client and therapist see each other.…”

Implicit Criteria Employed by Psychotherapists in Clinical Case Formulation

“…The common factor psychotherapy model was adopted because it focuses on the exploration of effective and relevant aspects of the psychotherapeutic process that are shared by different theoretical frameworks, and because it is considered as an important element the presence of implicit criteria that actively work under general objectives that the different psychotherapy models share (Koemeda-Lutz, Crameri, Tschuschke, Schulthess, & von Wyl, 2016;Krause, 2005;Krause & Altimir, 2016;Wampold, 2015). Some authors have pointed out among the main implicit criteria the expectations about people and their conflicts, for example: that they may be responsible, permeable to change, that they can establish a working alliance, among others (Kirmayer, 1989;Koemeda-Lutz et al, 2016;Krause, 2011;Lin, 2016;Williams & Levitt, 2007).…”