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The Common Factors, Empirically Validated Treatments, and Recovery Models of Therapeutic Change

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I review the Common Factors Model, the Empirically Validated Therapy Model, and the Recovery Model of therapeutic change and effectiveness. In general, psychotherapy appears to be effective and common factors account for more of the variance than do specific techniques. However, in some areas, particularly in the treatment of anxiety disorders, behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapies may be more effective than other treatments. The Recovery Model is an overarching model of change which can incorporate empirically validated therapies and which makes use of common factors. This model is consistent with empirically supported concepts concerning improvement of mental health but needs further research.

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    Andrew D. Reisner Psy.D.

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Reisner, A.D. The Common Factors, Empirically Validated Treatments, and Recovery Models of Therapeutic Change. Psychol Rec 55, 377–399 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395517

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