The effects of the individual psychotherapist and implications for future research.

Abstract

A body of research concerning psychotherapy outcome is reviewed with the intent of establishing the importance of the individual psychotherapist to treatment process and outcome. Although particular therapy techniques have not been shown to be especially important in therapy process and outcome, they have been the focus of most research and training for the past two decades. In the past, extensive study of the individual therapist was difficult, but the rising trend of managed health care organizations has created opportunities to conduct research on this topic. Hypothetical outcome data for individual clinicians are presented in graphical form. An attempt is made to show how patient typing can be used to adjust outcome by case-mix methods. Suggestions for future research are made.