Specific Factors Theory

Common Factors and Specific Factors A long standing debate within the counseling profession that has been reignited with a push for evidence based practices is whether common factors or specific factors of counseling theories better enable positive change in clients. On one side, researchers view empirically supported evidence as fact and believe just the theory and its processes promote the necessary change (Swan & Heesacker, 2013). This view is justifiably called the Specific Factors Theory. On the opposing side, researchers note that characteristics within the therapy session, counselor, or client promote greater goal and life change (Beutler, Forrester, Gallagher-Thompson, Thompson, & Tomlins, 2012). Common Factors Theory, as this view

The goal of Specific Factors Theory is to change maladaptive behavior through a step by step process. Specific techniques, like breaking down irrational thoughts in depressed patients, are the active pieces involved with Specific Factors Theory. Therapy modeled in this perspective is typically known as the medical model (Swan & Heesacker, 2013). In the medical model, therapists diagnose a client’s issue using the DSM-5 and then follow specific steps based on their theory of how to treat the underlying causes for that illness (Swan & Heesacker,

Clients do not often care what theoretical orientation the counselor is, which statistical outcome provides the best treatment results for someone else, or even how a technique will work outside of basic explanations of what and why the technique is being implemented. The main reason the client is sitting across from a counselor is because they or someone they know has deemed it crucial in order for them to get help. If the therapist is not welcoming, working to build rapport and honestly does not give the client hope that their issue is not a lost cause, that client may end up leaving within one or two sessions. Building that therapeutic alliance, providing client motivation, and showing therapist confidence- explaining the counselor knows what they are doing and that they will try whatever they can to help improve the client’s day, will go a long way in the end (Fife et al.,