The claim that all therapies are about equally effective and that they impact change through common factors such as the involvement of a supportive therapist may sound reasonable to some extent. This perspective is based on the "common factors theory," which suggests that various elements shared by different therapeutic approaches contribute to the overall effectiveness of treatment, rather than the specific techniques employed.
Some common factors that can contribute to the effectiveness of therapy include therapeutic alliance, client engagement, and hope and expectancy.
However, it is essential to consider that while common factors may play a significant role in therapeutic success, individual therapies have been developed to address specific issues, populations, or disorders. Some therapies may be more effective for certain conditions due to the specialized techniques and approaches they employ. Empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of specific therapies for particular issues should not be disregarded.
In conclusion, the claim that all therapies are equally effective due to common factors such as a supportive therapist is reasonable to some extent. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that specific therapeutic approaches may be more suitable for particular conditions or individuals, and the unique techniques employed in these therapies can contribute to their effectiveness.