The Surprising Secret to Successful Psychotherapy

Research reveals that the education of the therapists, or therapy type, matter little

Successful therapy involves collaboration. Both therapist and client work at maintaining a positive relationship and need to continuously respond and adjust to the other. Shutterstock

As a clinical psychologist and educator, I am often asked to recommend a psychotherapist for people in need. These requests come with a sense of urgency to find the best possible therapist. Many people are at a loss over what to look for.

Here, I offer an answer, not just to the question of what makes for a great therapist, but what else helps make therapy work. Decades of research on what improves psychotherapy outcomes yields surprising answers.