CBT, EMDR, Psychodynamic… Why the Therapist Matters More Than the Method
When searching for a therapist a person may be overwhelmed by the number of therapy approaches there are, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Psychodynamic Therapy, and more. But while finding the therapy method that is right for you is important, the relationship between your and your therapist is more important. So let’s talk about why the therapist matters more than the method.
What Different Therapy Approaches Are Designed to Do
Different approaches can be helpful for different goals, symptoms, and clients.
A therapy approach is basically a framework for understanding the problem and creating change as it offers unique tools, perspectives, and techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It often helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more effective coping strategies.
“CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.” (“What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?” American Psychological Association. 2017. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral)
CBT has shown to be effective for a variety of problems such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was developed to help people process traumatic experiences and distressing memories. It helps reduce the emotional intensity that is associated with the traumatic events from their past.
When using this method, the individual moves their eyes in a specific way while they process traumatic memories.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding deeper emotional patterns, unconscious processes, attachment experiences, and recurring themes that influence current relationships and behavior. This is helpful for people who want to understand their long-standing struggles or relationship patterns.
Each method offers strengths and can all be helpful depending on what your goals and challenges are.
Why the Therapeutic Relationship Predicts Success
The therapeutic relationship is very important according to research.
A positive and effective relationship relies on factors such as trust, emotional safety, attunement and feeling understood. When present, they help the clients feel heard, respected and supported by their therapist.
No matter what therapy method is used, clients who feel connected to their therapist tend to experience better results.
“In 1957, psychologist Carl Rogers published a groundbreaking paper that challenged everything the field thought it knew about psychotherapy and therapeutic relationships. He proposed that specific therapist qualities, not clever techniques or theoretical orientations, were the “necessary and sufficient conditions” for therapeutic change.” (“Therapeutic Relationship: The Key to Better Outcomes.” Reach Link. https://www.reachlink.com/advice/therapist-tools/therapeutic-relationship/)
Today, there are lots of studies that show how the therapeutic alliance is a consistent predictor of positive therapy outcomes.
When you feel safe enough to be honest, to be challenged without feeling judged, and you feel understood without feeling analyzed, you’re more likely to experience meaningful change. The relationship can help you grow because it helps develop a new way to understand yourself and how you relate to others.
How to Find the Right Therapist Fit
Because the therapeutic relationship is so important, it’s important to do your research before choosing a therapist.
There are a few things that clients should pay attention to beyond modality when choosing a therapist.
In a previous post we explained “Think about your preferences. Will you feel more comfortable with a male or a female? Do you want to work with someone who is older than you or are you okay with someone who is younger? Is it important to you that your therapist has certain religious beliefs? These are all things to consider when looking for a therapist.”
It can also be helpful to consider a therapist’s personality and communication style. You don’t need to agree on everything, but when there is alignment and trust develops, therapy seems to have better results.
After researching therapists in your area and narrowing down some options, you can call and ask questions about their experience, modalities and beliefs.
Of course you want to look for a therapist who has training and experience helping people with the challenges you want to address in therapy.
However, going a step further and looking beyond the credentials and methods to the human connection, is the approach to finding a therapist that will give you the best result. .
A quality therapeutic relationship plays a significant role in whether therapy is successful or not.
No matter the method or tools used, there is a higher chance of change occurring when clients feel safe, understood, respected, and genuinely connected to the person sitting across from them.