Does Psychotherapy Work? (Part One)

While I have never personally been asked this question, it’s a hot topic in the field. Or at least lukewarm. It’s a pretty good question. After all, when I consider devoting some of my time, effort and money into something, the thought of dumping all of those things down a deep, dark hole is not pleasing.

So yes, a pretty good question. It’s just… vague. Like, a lot vague. It is a bit like asking, “Does eating food work?”

Ridiculous? Perhaps. Anyone who knows me can attest to my willingness to resort to absurd — or even plain stupid — tactics, on a fairly regular basis. But humour me for a minute, if you will.

Not long ago, a British lad was in the news, after suffering nutrition-related and permanent hearing and vision loss. Apparently, he ate nothing but chips, white bread and occasional bits of ham for years. Did eating food work for this unfortunate young man? Yes. If we’re talking about staying alive. If, on the other hand, we’re talking about food promoting great physical health; no, no it did not.

Uh oh. At this point, you’re probably already way ahead of me. Perhaps you’re already rolling your eyes and shaking your head in distaste, realizing that I’m angling for that obnoxious idea which people like me seem to resort to on a regular basis, while looking smug and know-it-all.

It depends.

There it is. I said it. Some of you just stopped reading in disgust. Does eating food work? It depends. Yeah, I know. So frustrating! Can’t we just get a nice, straightforward yes or no?

Sure we can! But not by asking super vague questions.

Does psychotherapy work? Well, yes; but work at what? It doesn’t cure cancer or ensure fresh breath.

Furthermore, how much does it need to work, to qualify as “it works”? A little bit? Medium? A lot? Do the results of successful work need to last a certain amount of time? Does it not actually work if it only lasts for a certain period of time?

Does successful work require, “and they lived happily ever after”?

Let’s fight the vague, and be more specific. Will every single person, at the end of their very first therapy session, walk away in a permanent state of bliss and contentment?”

Nope.

Wow. “What are you doing!?” you might ask me. “Isn’t the point of a blog to attract business?” To which I would have to answer, “Yes of course; but not by lying to people.”

There’s lots of research supporting “yes.” I just spent a couple of frustrating hours searching for a nice, easy, right-to-the-point article I could link this claim to. I’m tired. I’m cranky. I could not find anything that was not a long, complicated version of “it depends.”

But I did grin to myself when I realized, “Hey! That’s my whole point!”

For now, I’ll link to psychologist Scott Miller, who offers a free chapter from one of his books. The first paragraph answers the question. If you want to read the rest, well… it will certainly give you an idea of the whole “it depends” thing!