1.
Does Therapy work?
At any given time, 1 in 5 adults is struggling with their mental health. Chances are you are included in that statistic, or have been, or will be at some point in your life. According to a report in 2017 by the National Institute of Mental Health, only about 43% of people begin any form of mental health treatment, but this number is rising--especially among younger generations. Millennials and Gen-Z love therapy!
The stigma is going down and the word is getting out...THERAPY WORKS!
So, how does therapy work? This has been discussed and studied for nearly a century now. While there is debate about what elements of therapy most contribute to client success, many agree that there are a number of ingredients in the recipe for successful treatment. These ingredients are termed "common factors." A meta-analysis by Michael Lambert in 1992 studied these common factors that affect client progress, as shown in the pie chart below.
Lambert, Michael J (1992). "Psychotherapy outcome research: implications for integrative and eclectic therapists"
Lambert's study identified that extratherapeutic factors (changes that happen outside of the therapy office) and the relationship you have with your therapist, have the most influence on your success in treatment. Since Lambert's research in the '90s, others have continued to explore Common Factor Theory and ongoing research in this area further supports these findings. Key take-aways here? Finding a therapist you are comfortable with and trust to help you, someone that gives you hope that your circumstances will improve, is a big component of how successful your therapy will be. It is also important to understand that coming to your therapy appointments isn't the only thing that helps you feel better--some things that happen outside of therapy and in-between appointments also contribute to your success!