Specific vs. Common Factors: Relative Contribution

Self-help is often as successful as formal treatment.

"We believe that the Dodo Bird Verdict occurs because the client's abilities to use whatever is offered surpass any differences that might exist in techniques or approaches."
--Tallman & Bohart, 1999

"We believe that the Dodo Bird Verdict occurs because the client's abilities to use whatever is offered surpass any differences that might exist in techniques or approaches."
--Tallman & Bohart, 1999

So what is our role as worker?

To provide the optimal setting

Person-Centered Therapy
by
Carl Rogers

(furthered by Bohart, Miller, and Zweben)

Clients bring...

• A wisdom
• A desire to be well and whole
• Natural tendency toward positive direction (given proper conditions)

Therapists bring...

• Accurate empathy
• Unconditional Positive Regard
• Genuinenes

OARS

• Open-ended questions
• Affirmations
• Reflections
• Summaries

Reflections

Hope

Empathy