Therapeutic change is both a process and experience. Carl Rogers defined psychotherapeutic change as a “change in the personality structure of the individual, at both surface and deeper levels, in a direction which clinicians would agree means greater integration, less internal conflict, more energy utilizable for effective living” (1992, p. 827). Regardless the reason an individual seeks therapeutic services, therapeutic change is the goal.
Both Empirically Validated Therapies (EVT) and the Common Factors (CF) model are proven effective contributors to therapeutic change (Swan & Heesacker, 2013; Chambless et al., n.d.). However, Individualized care tailored to the individual’s specific must be the hallmark …show more content…
While EVT is the more manualized approach, it still should be given appropriate credit. The ability to access treatment options that have been proven effective is an incredible resource available to providers. However, it is equally as important that providers not become pigeonholed by EVT. Exceptions in treatment are inevitable, therefore, EVT will not work for everyone. It is here, within the exceptions, that the CF model can offer foundational therapeutic elements to return and help stimulate therapeutic change.
The CF model places greater emphasis on the individual in treatment. CF model does not disregard EVT but rather concludes that different EVT also rely on common factors within their treatment. The CF model remains foundational to all therapeutic interactions. EVT highlights the success of treating certain diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, with behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapies (Chambless et al., n.d) and CF seeks to find commonalities within treatment that makes the specific approach …show more content…
A joint, unified appreciation of perspective offers providers the ability shift and respond appropriately within the therapy session. Such flexibility was showcased in the treatment Kisi (Binnie, 2012). Kisi sought out psychotherapy, meeting clinical criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), neurasthenia, schizophrenia, dissociative fugue disorder, recurrent depression, and emotionally unstable personality disorder. Treatment for Kisi was first approached through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an EVT for PTSD, OCD, and depression (Chambless et al., n.d).
During treatment, when no movement in behavioral change, or therapeutic change was observed, Binnie shifted from symptom management and reduction, and redirected to a focus that emphasized the therapeutic relationship (Binnie, 2012). The individualized treatment design offered a flexible approach toward reestablishing therapeutic change. Binnie’s case study highlighted the importance of accepting the value of both a CM and EVT approach, and integrated the two for optimal treatment.