This paper examines how people who have been in psychotherapy, regardless
of the used method, think about what has been important in their experiences.
It aims to increase the understanding of what is effective in psychotherapy
based on the client’s perspective. The study has a qualitative approach, where
interviews with five adults were analyzed using a thematic approach. Three
main themes were identified: a) reason to seek psychotherapy, b) reason to
accept the psychotherapy offered and c) the effects of that contact.
The findings also point out that clients make an active choice when they accept
the help that they have looked for. Another aspect in the findings is the obvious
importance the role the psychotherapist plays in the therapeutic contact. The
therapeutic method used in psychotherapy emerges as a less important aspect
of the contact which is nevertheless still mentioned in the reports. Finally, the
positive effect of the therapeutic contact is highlighted as an important aspect.