Myths, Misconceptions, and Invalid Assumptions of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Book excerpt: Which of the following statements about counseling and psychotherapy have been proven to be true? a) Intake interviews, routinely done during the first meeting with a new client, provide a reliable foundation on which to base a diagnosis and treatment plan. b) The most effective "dosage" of therapy has been found to be around 45-50 minutes, which is why the "50-minute hour" is the usual length of time for a single session. c) Evidence-Based Practices are the standard techniques used by clinicians. d) Therapists become more effective over time, and the best therapists are the ones with the most experience and most training. e) None of the above. Which of the following statements about counseling and psychotherapy are false? a) Thanks to careful and methodical research, we know precisely the qualities that make a good therapist. b) Knowledge gained from Randomized Controlled Trials and other rigorous studies informs training program design, teaching methods, and clinical practice. c) When a client achieves a successful outcome from therapy, the results can be traced through the therapeutic process, and the results are long-lasting. d) Our training programs are routinely reconfigured to ensure they are in line with the most up-to-date information. e) All of the above. You might be surprised that the answer to both questions is "e." Although there are countless studies on the effectiveness of counseling, there is also compelling evidence that researchers have difficulty replicating results of studies. There are many common elements of counseling practice that lack an evidentiary basis, and yet some of these components remain unquestioned, unchallenged, and accepted as the way things are. Book jacket.