That is the million-dollar question when someone is seeking help.

All of the latest research is showing clearly, if surprisingly, that the results therapists are getting has very little to do with the modality they are using – it is not one or the other forms of Cognitive Behavioral, Emotional Focused, Psychoanalysis, REBT, Humanistic Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, family counseling, positive psychology, or any of the dozens and dozens of offshoots that determine the outcome of psychotherapy – it is the relationship between the therapist and the client that makes all the difference. All the various modalities work the same. What does this tell you about the strength, validity and ultimately the usefulness of all these various modalities? It tells you that the therapeutic profession is continually searching because none of the modalities is actually that effective.

What makes a difference is:

• The relationship between the therapist and client

• The confidence of the therapist in being able to help their clients

Of course…to get a sense of how you might feel about a therapist you will have to meet him or her and trust your feelings rather then use your mind to evaluate information. Ironically….most clients seeking help have that very issue. Instead of being in touch with what they are feeling to answer some of the most important questions in their life…they try to evaluate everything as if life was the same as buying a car. Knowing that people try to evaluate instead of trusting their intuition psychologists and psychotherapists list all kinds of degrees, specialties, years of experience, associations. Using your computer mind is what got you into trouble and caused most of your pain – if you are looking for growth and healing – remember this is not a math course – you will have to use your heart, soul, feelings, and intuition – and if you don’t trust those aspects of your being this is the time to begin to develop them.

In case you are a bit skeptical or uncomfortable…never having used anything other then your mind to figure out answers and solutions….try answering this question.

How would you find a good oncologist (for treating cancer)?

Would you want:

Someone with prestigious degrees?

Someone with a specialty?

Someone with years of experience?

Someone who is doing research and teaching?

The answer is research and teaching!
The problem with both medicine and psychology is that most professionals get comfortable with knowledge they acquired many years ago, are often resistant and skeptical regarding new innovations and are using methods that have already been replaced by more effective methods. As an example everyone using common sense knew that stress, bad diets, lack of exercise were unhealthy and caused many illnesses. It took the medical profession almost 35 years to start asking clients about their lifestyles, and suggesting changes, whereas before they were contented to only prescribing drugs or recommending surgeries.

Those professionals who have a research based practice, who present their findings to colleagues at conferences and publish in order to get feedback, interact with other professionals in the field in order to expose themselves to the best available innovations in ALL modalities not just their own are the most likely to have the latest tools to help you.