Current Status of the Research on the Therapist in Psychotherapy

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to present an introduction to the study of the therapist in psychotherapy, from its antecedents to a more current vision. A systematic review was carried out to investigate the following aspects: the role of the therapist in the explanation of outcomes, current research designs, and specific assessment techniques. The results differ as to whether the therapist's variables, the specific techniques or the therapeutic alliance are the factors that best explain the outcomes in psychotherapy. Among the therapist´s variables, those indicated as favorable to change are: empathy, flexibility, ability to establish a working alliance and to effectively apply a specific technique, attachment patterns, multicultural competence, training, experience, respect for the patient, optimism, sense of humor, self-questioning ability, interpersonal skills and therapeutic style. The most commonly used evaluation tool is the development of psychotherapists Common Core Questionnaire. Research designs are recommended to assess not only the relation therapist - outcome, but also the technique applied, the type of pathology presented by the patient, the device (individual, group) and the duration of therapy.