Flexibility in Manual-Based Psychotherapies: Predictors of Therapist Interventions in Interpersonal and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

The goal of the current investigation was to explore the variables that predict therapist responsiveness in implementing specific therapist interventions. The authors found that therapists who were trained to adherence in manualized cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and interpersonal (IPT) psychotherapies demonstrated flexibility in the delivery of specific therapist techniques in response to specific patient characteristics and in-session therapeutic processes. Therapists used more clarifications and restatements with patients who rated the therapeutic empathy higher, more clarifications and questions with patients who rated higher on depression, and more learning statements with patients who provided more complete interpersonal narratives. Differences in responsiveness between treatment groups are discussed.