Achieving Success in Treatment – Richard B. Armstrong, MSW, LCSW, QCSW,
Director of Clinical Operations
DTAC has enjoyed a long history of achievement in regard to successful outcomes for children, adolescents, and families served across their multiple service lines. Anecdotal reports from clients and families, agency referral sources and various stakeholders frequently highlight the vast improvements and enduring change attained through the treatment process. But what does the evidence, the empirical research and data, tell us about how success is achieved in therapy? What are elements that create success in treatment?
Current evidence indicates that most effective treatment is based on a foundation of non-judgmental attitudes, empathy, genuineness, and warmth (Duncan, Miller, Wampold, & Hubble, 2010; Hunter & Chaffin, 2005). Four factors that influence successful outcomes in psychotherapy are (in descending order based on the amount of influence): Client Characteristics (40%) including strengths, resources, social support, living environment; the Therapeutic Relationship (30%) between service providers and clients; the Creation of Hope and Expectation of Change (15%) in the process of therapy; and the Therapeutic Technique (15%) utilized (Duncan, Miller, Wampold, & Hubble, 2010).
A commitment to Strengths-based approaches consistently implemented within the context of carefully constructed Therapeutic Relationships and Alliances is the cornerstone of DTAC’s clinical model. Utilization of evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as TF-CBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Strategic Family Therapy in our safe, supportive and warm milieus continue to promote successful outcomes and create hope and expectations for lasting change.
