The role of non-specific factors in short-term psychotherapy

This paper reports findings from psychotherapy, placebo, and follow-up studies relevant to the psychotherapeutic process, to patients' therapy behaviour, to therapists' attitudes toward patients and treatment, to their therapy behaviour, and to treatment outcome. These findings are not specific to any particular form of therapy. It is suggested that some of these factors are very relevant to effective psychotherapy, and that deliberate manipulation of them may improve treatment results.