Evidence of a Pronounced Preference for Therapy Guided by Common Factors

Objective Recent evidence presented in this journal (Swift & Callahan, 2010) suggests that psychotherapy clients may place more value on nonspecific common factors—such as a warm and relatable therapist—than on the level of empirical support for a particular intervention. The present study investigated the possibility that this trend would also extend to those who have never received professional psychological help. Method Three hundred and twenty-nine adults from across the United States (60.2% female, mean age = 35.92) each rated their attitudes toward seeking two varieties of psychotherapy: one emphasizing nonspecific common factors, and one emphasizing specific evidence-based therapy ingredients. Results Analyses revealed a pronounced preference for therapy guided by common factors among clients and nonclients alike, even when controlling for a host of individual difference variables. Conclusions These data conceptually replicate Swift and Callahan's findings and indicate that potential clients may seek help more readily from providers who accentuate the nonspecific aspects of therapy.