Collaborative therapy was developed by psychotherapist Harlene Anderson after recognizing that therapy is sometimes hampered by a lack of collaboration between therapists and their clients, in particular for those who have difficulty trusting authority figures.
Types of Collaborative Therapy
Collaborative therapy refers to a philosophical stance toward therapy rather than a type of therapy. For this reason, there are no specific forms of collaborative therapy that can be identified. Instead, it is most frequently associated with the humanistic approach to psychotherapy, which includes therapies such as person-centered therapy and existential psychotherapy. Establishing a collaborative relationship with a therapist is an essential factor in any successful psychotherapy. The two major formats of collaborative therapies are client-led and therapist-led.
In client-led collaborative therapy, the client drives what topics and issues will be discussed and works with the therapist to help prioritize concerns and goals. In therapist-led collaborative therapy, the therapist is more actively involved in driving sessions by devising experiments for clients to test their beliefs, restructuring thoughts, or engaging in other forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Techniques of Collaborative Therapy
Anderson notes that in collaborative therapy, “connecting, collaborating, and constructing with others become authentic and natural performances, not techniques.” Although present in many approaches to psychotherapy, there are seven ideas that are emphasized and guide collaborative therapists on how to think about the therapeutic relationship. However, these are not rules or techniques, and each therapist can be creative and devise their own methods of therapy for each individual client:
What Collaborative Therapy Can Help With
Collaborative therapy is not designed to help with any specific disorder. It is a method of transformation that can be applied to any problem the client is experiencing. Collaborative therapy may be particularly helpful for individuals who have not had success in therapy in the past due to a lack of trust for their therapist. The client’s ideas are always respected in this therapeutic approach, and the client is never judged or blamed for their feelings or behaviors. Collaborative therapy is a client-centered approach that places the emphasis on collaboration, honesty, respect, and empowerment for both therapist and client. By working together as partners in the therapeutic relationship, clients are able to engage in meaningful conversation about what they want to change.
Benefits of Collaborative Therapy
Below is a list of specific benefits unique to collaborative therapy:
Client experiences are respected: Although therapists should be experts in their field, the client has the most insight into their own life. Clients may therefore contribute valuable information to therapy sessions. They often know more about their problems than do psychologists, who might not have first-hand experience with certain conditions.The client has increased insight: As the client and therapist work collaboratively to solve problems, they may gain a better understanding of the issues involved. They can also work together to identify small changes that can lead to larger successes.Client engagement is increased: The client becomes a partner in therapy, rather than just being told what to do without understanding why they have to do it. This approach may lead clients to feel more motivated about the process.Client empowerment increases: By empowering the client in collaborative therapy, the focus is on helping them learn skills that they can continue to use in their life after sessions end.Client engagement in treatment increases: Clients who engage in “mutually transforming” therapy are ready to take an active role in understanding how they contribute to their own problems and what changes they would like to make. They may be more likely to follow through with difficult tasks, including homework assignments.
Effectiveness of Collaborative Therapy
Collaborative therapy is a philosophical stance toward therapy rather than a set of therapeutic techniques to be empirically evaluated. As such, given that the methodology can vary greatly, systematic analyses of the effectiveness of collaborative therapy have not been conducted. However, other types of therapy that draw on the collaborative approach, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, do have extensive empirical support.
Things to Consider
Collaborative therapy may not be the right approach for every client. Indiviudals who prefer a structured format or a therapist who is more directive may not respond well to this approach. In addition, it may be difficult to know whether your therapist is adhering to the principles of collaborative therapy given that there is no manualized instruction of this therapeutic approach.
How to Get Started
Are you interested in getting started with collaborative therapy? Below are the steps to getting started:
