PERSONALIZED PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS: CLINICAL INSTRUCTIONS

Abstract

Today therapists are more aware of the importance of personalizing psychological treatments according to patients’ individual characteristics and the singularity of their life contexts. Using the same treatment for every patient and every disorder is not advisable and it is a poor ethical behavior. In this study, seven important personalizing factors are reviewed: patient reactance level, stage of change phase, culture, coping style, attachment style, therapeutic preferences, and religious and spiritual dimension. Meta-analytic studies suggest that these factors notably affect the efficacy of psychological treatments, and that their application will allow for further improvement in psychotherapy efficacy.

Keywords

• personalized treatments
• evidence-based practice
• narrative review of meta-analysis
• psychotherapy
• treatment adaptations