What Clients Actually Want: New Research Challenges Assumptions About Therapy Style

If you've been questioning whether your CBT approach is "too structured" or "not warm enough," new research offers surprising insights into what clients really prefer from their therapists.

The Evidence Gap

While we have robust research on CBT techniques and training in Socratic questioning, we've had less clarity on how clients actually want us to show up in the therapy room.

We know that adapting to clients' preferences leads to positive outcomes, including decreased dropout rates and overall improved treatment outcomes¹.

But what do clients want?

A new study published in January 2025 explores this question with a qualitative analysis².

Key Findings