ABSTRACT
For a number of years, interest has been growing in what are termed the nonspecific or common factors underlying change in all models and theories of psychotherapy (Goldfried & Newman, 1992). Assisted by the statistical technique of meta-analysis, a number of theorists have concluded that the therapeutic relationship itself is central to the therapeutic change process (Norcross and Goldfried, 1992; Norcross & Halgin, 1997). In other words, the specific methods or techniques used by practitioners are less important than the quality of their relationships with their clients. Some examples of the relationship factors found to be important to the change process include the feeling of being heard and understood, the offering of hope, the offering of feedback as a means to gain a new perspective on problems, and the opportunity to talk about problems in an accepting environment.
