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A Theoretical Model of Common Process Factors in Youth and Family Therapy

  • Published:
Mental Health Services Research

Abstract

Recently there has been an increasing emphasis in the youth and family mental health treatment literature on the use of empirically supported treatments (ESTs). In contrast there has been scant attention paid to more universal aspects of the therapy process that may have even greater impact upon therapy outcomes. It is likely that the success of the techniques proposed by ESTs may depend on the presence of common process factors. In this article, the authors explore the status of common process factors research in the youth and family therapy literature, and propose a theoretical model linking specific therapeutic relationship variables and treatment outcomes for children and adolescents. This model is intended to guide synthesis of the empirical evidence for common process factors in youth and family treatment and to stimulate future research on common process factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

    Marc S. Karver (PhD), Jessica B. Handelsman & Sherecce Fields

  2. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

    Len Bickman

  3. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave; PCD 4118G, Tampa, Florida, 33620

    Marc S. Karver (PhD)

Authors
  1. Marc S. Karver
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  2. Jessica B. Handelsman
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  3. Sherecce Fields
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  4. Len Bickman
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Correspondence to Marc S. Karver.

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Karver, M.S., Handelsman, J.B., Fields, S. et al. A Theoretical Model of Common Process Factors in Youth and Family Therapy. Ment Health Serv Res 7, 35–51 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11020-005-1964-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11020-005-1964-4

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