I have recently read a few articles laying out the lack of efficacy of "talk therapy". One article said that 7 out of 10 people don't experience change from this thing called "talk therapy".
The dilemma is..."talk therapy" is too broadly defined to provide a meaningful outcome in a study. Multiple variables effect outcomes, so a study of "talk therapy" versus more active therapies like EMDR, EFT, or others that engage the client somatically cannot be considered indicative of efficacy of "talk therapy".
Here are a few issues that affect outcomes in therapy:
1. The Therapist: Research indicates that the relationship with the therapist can be the most important factor affecting outcomes. Rapport, empathy, presence, and trust are fundamental to an effective therapeutic outcome and have been proven to be highly predictive of positive outcomes.
2. Problem Definition: Also more important than therapeutic modality is arriving at the most changeable definition of the client's presenting problem. Notably, in defining goals in the early stages of therapy it is crucial to recognize that most people are stuck not simply because of a "problem" but because of ineffective solutions. For example, the alcoholic who assumes their problem is alcohol, rather than seeing that alcohol has become an ineffective solution for something underlying. Helping a client reframe their desired outcomes is a significant part of effective change.
3. Communication Skills: If "talk therapy" is defined as using verbal communication as the primary method of intervention, the term falls woefully short of describing the vast range of how a therapist conceptualizes communication. If communication is primarily used to provide "helpful information" we all recognize that information is inadequate to drive change. If communication is considered a way to access the unconscious mind, to re-route neural pathways, and a strategy to undermine harmful paradigms, then communication provides an experience for the client and not simply new set of data.
4. Modality: Again, many studies indicate that modality is not necessarily a meaningful factor in client outcomes. Modality refers to the type of therapy utilized, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and many more. While modality itself may not notably improve outcomes, selecting the appropriate modality for the clients needs can significantly affect positive outcomes. One size does not fit all.
5. Emotional Intelligence of Therapist: Some therapists know their model better than they know people. The capacity to know and read your client is crucial to producing positive outcomes. As I say to public speakers, you are not teaching a topic, you are teaching people. Understanding the general operation of the human soul and learning the specific operation of the soul in front of you may be the most important key to your client's success.