Research on therapist techniques (defined as verbal response modes) in brief individual therapy is reviewed in terms of its implications for practice Four areas are covered: (a) the overall effectiveness of therapist techniques; (b) the effectiveness of the specific therapist techniques of interpretation and self-disclosure; (c) factors moderating the effects of therapist techniques such as individual differences between clients, individual differences between therapists, and the context within therapy; and (d) the importance of therapist and client covert processes. Several conclusions are drawn: (a) which therapist techniques are used in therapy does make a difference; with interpretation and self-disclosure being particularly helpful; (b) therapists should be aware of their intentions in using different interventions; (c) client type and client state seem to predict the effectiveness of different techniques; (d) clients often hide negative reactions; and (e) when therapists are aware of negative client reactions, there may be negative effects on the therapy.
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