Values and Psychotherapy: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This paper reviews theoretical literature and empirical investigations concerning the role of values in psychotherapy. Contrary to traditional psychoanalytic conceptualization, the psychotherapeutic relationship is viewed in terms of interpersonal attraction and interpersonal influence and some degree of therapist-patient value similarity is considered a prerequisite for positive attraction, effective communication, and influence of therapist over patient. The importance of matching therapist-patient pairs on the value dimension is stressed. Psychotherapy-analogue research is cited as a vehicle for exploring the role of values in psychotherapy.