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Collaborative Therapy: How It Works & What to Expect

Published: July 23, 2021 Updated: May 11, 2022
Published: 07/23/2021 Updated: 05/11/2022
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO
  • What Is Collaborative Therapy?Definition
  • What Can Collaborative Counseling Help With?What It Helps
  • Is Collaborative Therapy Effective?Effectiveness
  • Collaborative Counseling ExamplesExamples
  • How to Find a Collaborative TherapistFind
  • What to Expect at Your First Appointment1st Session
  • Final Thoughts on Collaborative CounselingConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO

Collaborative therapy involves a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and their client. This relationship is based on the mutual goal of finding solutions to the problems presented in therapy and working to establish pathways to achieve these goals. This style of therapy can be used in group, family, and couple settings, as well as in individual therapy.

BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

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What Is Collaborative Therapy?

In collaborative therapy, the client and therapist develop an alliance and approach therapy as a discussion instead of as a client seeking answers and a therapist providing them. The role of the therapist in this kind of therapy is to see from the perspective of the client, relying on their storytelling and asking questions to understand.

The emphasis on the client here shows that collaborative therapy isn’t only client-centered, but rather that clients have the capacity to act as the expert on their own life. The therapist in this modality of therapy will often ask for clarity and perspective sharing to ensure they are not imposing their own interpretation of the experience their clients share and hold space for the client to share their authentic self.1

Kyle McEvoy, MS, LMHC / Founder & Therapy PresidentAccording to Kyle McEvoy, MS, LMHC, Founder & Therapy President at Collaborative People, “Collaborative therapy is less like a treatment modality and more of an approach to interacting with the people we work with. In the true nature of collaboration, a collaborative therapist will support the person they’re working with as the expert in their own experience. Thus, the relationship between therapist and client is non-authoritative, integrational, genuine, explicit, empathetic, and more.”

Theory of Collaborative Counseling

Collaborative counseling is rooted in postmodernist theory and its two key concepts of fluid knowledge and the idea that multiple realities exist, meaning no one view is “correct.” It has an emphasis on equality of perspectives between the client and the therapist. The goal is to create change and growth for both the client and the therapist. Meaningful conversations are the catalyst for this change.1

What Can Collaborative Counseling Help With?

Collaborative therapy can help people with anxiety, depression, and marital issues. It can also help children, families, and couples develop more awareness about the causes and triggers for issues in their lives and learn effective coping mechanisms. Since collaborative therapy is more of a philosophy, it allows the therapist to help their client brainstorm solutions while still allowing them to take the lead.2

Is Collaborative Therapy Effective?

Studies on the effectiveness of collaborative therapy found that it can increase the client’s level of self-efficacy, improve their coping skills, increase their trigger awareness, and improve their decision-making capabilities.3,4

McEvoy states, “Through this transformative work, others will typically notice a change in the client’s demeanor before themselves. The client may notice a more explicit awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and reactions in their interpersonal relationships. The more explicit understanding is accompanied by better emotional regulation, a stronger sense of self, a more effortless ability to think of alternative perspectives, greater empathy, and less self-deprecating thoughts and feelings.

Additionally, a client may notice they have a better understanding of the root causes of their current deficits, hold a greater understanding of psychological knowledge, and feel more comfortable talking with their provider. This therapeutic process is not a “results” oriented approach but a multidimensional interpersonal experience that helps foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and others to promote better relationships.”

Collaborative Counseling Examples

In children-parent relationships, collaborative therapy has helped parents with traumatic histories reframe their experiences to a strengths perspective to emphasize their goal of being better parents and preventing the traumatization of their children.5 Collaborative therapy has also helped individuals living with bipolar disorder improve their quality of life, relationships, and overall functioning.

Studies also suggest that collaborative therapy could have similar effects on anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.6 Similarly, children with behavioral issues were found to have profound insight into their manners when given the platform to be involved in their treatment plan.7

How to Find a Collaborative Therapist

The best way to find a collaborative therapist is by searching an online directory and reviewing the providers based on your preferences and insurance. Researching clinician profiles online and selecting a few to contact for initial conversations is a good first step. Many therapists offer a free phone consultation to give families an opportunity to evaluate whether they’re a good fit.

If you are in a circle that openly and safely discusses mental health resources, ask for a reference. Everyone is different though, so it shouldn’t be expected that one therapist would be right for everyone. Requesting a referral from your physician is also an option. This gives your physician an opportunity to collaborate with you to find the right type of treatment.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Try to go into therapy with an open mind and remember that you are in the driver’s seat. During your first session, feel free to ask any questions you may have. Your therapist will ask questions too. What you share informs your therapist on how to best approach your collaborative care.

McEvoy says, “In a collaborative therapy session, a client might expect to feel a high level of curiosity from the provider. The idea is to hold a “not knowing” stance, which encourages the provider and client to foster an authentic and genuine understanding of the client’s experience. Each collaborative therapist recognizes that they’re not the expert of the client’s experiences and will learn what they think is best. Therefore, the therapist will typically be flexible in working with the client, communication, technique, and disclosure.”

To learn how to prepare for your first therapy session, consider an initial phone consultation or an online guide. Copays and coverage of treatment will depend on whether the provider you choose is in-network or out-of-network. It is not uncommon to have a copay even with an in-network provider; however, many providers are able to offer a sliding scale payment model if necessary.

Final Thoughts on Collaborative Counseling

Whatever you’re struggling with is unique to you, but you’re not alone. If you are dealing with issues like anxiety, communication problems, attachment issues, depression, marital issues, or family problems, talking to a therapist who specializes in collaborative therapy can make a positive difference in how you feel. Together, you and your therapist will learn and grow.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Wilkerson, A., & Levin, S. B. (2016). Collaborative therapy. In N. Coady & P. Lehmann (Eds.), Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalist-eclectic approach (pp. 417–433). Springer Publishing Company.

  • Liu, V.Y., Guardia, A.L., & Sullivan, J.M. (2019). A Single-Case Research Evaluation of Collaborative Therapy Treatment Among Adults. Counseling Outcomes Research and Evaluation, 11(1), 45-58.

  • Gilbert, M., & Castle, D.J. (2018). Collaborative therapy: framework for mental health. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 189(5).

  • Spencer, J., Goode, J., Penix, E.A., Trusty, W., Swift, J.K. (2019). Developing a collaborative relationship with clients during the initial sessions of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 56(1), 7-10.

  • Smoliak, O., & Strong, T. (2017). Postmodernism in Couple and Family Therapy.

  • Cohen, I. (2020). A postmodern, collaborative approach to therapy using a narrative lens with individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Doctoral dissertation).

  • Helimäki, M., Laitila, A., & Kumpulainen, K. (2021). “You helped me out of that darkness” Children as dialogical partners in the collaborative post‐family therapy research interview. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

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Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO
  • What Is Collaborative Therapy?Definition
  • What Can Collaborative Counseling Help With?What It Helps
  • Is Collaborative Therapy Effective?Effectiveness
  • Collaborative Counseling ExamplesExamples
  • How to Find a Collaborative TherapistFind
  • What to Expect at Your First Appointment1st Session
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