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Common factors and our sacred models
Douglas H Sprenkle1, Adrian J Blow
1Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, Fowler House, 1200 W. State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2055, USA. sprenkled@aol.com
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
|April 30, 2004
Summary
Effective psychotherapy and marital and family therapy (MFT) share common factors. Focusing on these shared mechanisms of change can improve therapeutic outcomes in MFT.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
- Family Systems
Background:
- Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) often overlooks research on common factors.
- Therapeutic models tend to emphasize unique aspects over shared mechanisms of change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a moderate view of common factors in MFT.
- To highlight the importance of shared mechanisms of change across effective treatments.
- To encourage greater attention to common factors in the field of family therapy.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing empirical evidence for major common factors in psychotherapy.
- Analyzing the concept of common factors within the context of MFT.
- Synthesizing findings to support a common factors-informed approach.
Main Results:
- Many effective treatments, including MFT, share underlying common factors.
- These common mechanisms of change are crucial for successful therapeutic outcomes.
- A moderate view acknowledges both unique and shared elements of therapeutic models.
Conclusions:
- MFT should integrate a common factors-informed approach.
- Increased focus on shared mechanisms can enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
- Recognizing commonalities can lead to more robust and adaptable family therapy practices.