ABSTRACT
It is important for therapists to have a broad understanding of how change occurs in therapy. In this chapter, we review broad contributors to therapy change across therapy models with application to couple and family therapy theories. We review the convincing evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy in general and for couple and family therapy specifically. We discuss the broad common factors of change that cut across theories of family therapy, including therapeutic alliance factors; models and techniques; expectancy, placebo and allegiance factors; and therapist effects. We discuss client and contextual factors that contribute to change. Finally, we provide an overview of common factors unique to couple and family therapy theories.
