Achieve successful counselling and psychotherapy. Information provided by a Counsellor and Psychotherapist in Wimbledon, South West London, SW19. counselling-help.co.uk

There are a number of things that help to make counselling / psychotherapy a success. Here are the results of two research projects that throw light upon what they might be.

'In 2001 Bruce Wampold of the University of Wisconsin published "The Great Psychotherapy Debate".* In it Wampold . . . reported that:

1. Psychotherapy is indeed effective,

2. The type of treatment is not a factor,

3. The theoretical bases of the techniques used as well as the strictness of adherence to those techniques are both not factors,

4. The therapist's strength of belief in the efficacy of the technique is a factor,

5. The therapist as a person is a large factor,

6. The alliance between the patient and the therapist (meaning affectionate and trusting feelings toward the therapist, motivation and collaboration of the client, and empathic response of the therapist) is a key factor.'

(Adapted on 27th November 2009 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy#Criticisms_and_questions_regarding_effectiveness)

* Wampold, B. E. (2001) The Great Psychotherapy Debate: Models, Methods, and Findings. Routledge.

Luborsky (1988) and others found eight factors that were related to successful counselling / psychotherapy. Here, they are listed in order of importance:

1. When you find the relationship with the therapist helpful.

2. The therapist understands you and responds appropriately.

3. When your self-understanding increases.

4. When you find your other relationships are less trouble.

5. When you find yourself using naturally the things you have learnt in therapy.

6. When you become not so hard on yourself in relation to your own thoughts and feelings.

7. When you are keen to work at your therapy.

8. When the therapist offers a way of working that is clear, reasonable, and likely-to-be effective.

(Adapted from: Luborsky, L., Crits-Christoph, P., Mintz, J., Auerbach, A. (1988). Who Will Benefit from Psychotherapy? Basic Books.)

Graham Huxstep, Counsellor and Psychotherapist, London, SW19

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