Question

Which of the following statements is FALSE about Empirically Supported Treatments (EST) and the Common Factors (CF) approach?

EST advocates for using specific treatment supported by research evidence to treat specific disorders; CF advocates that the common factors (e.g., therapeutic alliance, a healing setting, an explanation for client’s struggles) are more crucial and effective than specific techniques, which was also supported by research evidence

One criticism of CF is that the treatment is less structured

One criticism of EST is that this approach might not attend to each individual client’s unique needs or consider cultural factors

EST is supported by research evidence and CF is not What is the second highest percentage (variance) of counseling outcomes? A Extra-therapeutic factors B Expectancy C Therapeutic relationship D Therapeutic techniques

Answer 1

1. EST is evidence based treatment supported by research. Common factors use multiple approaches in psychotherapy, and the common factors in these approaches are the reason for effectiveness in treatment. It may use evidence based treatment, but is not always scientific.

2. The extra-therapeutic factors contributes to 40% of change, followed by relationship factors which contributes to 30%. Therefore, C. Therapeutic relationship is the second highest variance of counseling outcomes.