The most important lesson I’ve learned  from decades of clinical practice, supervising other therapists, and  from psychotherapy research is that there is no such thing as one size  fits all when it comes to psychotherapy.  Patients must feel  comfortable, supported, and safe in talking about their experiences and  feelings.  They must believe that the therapist is interested in them,  invested in helping them achieve their goals, and should feel that the  therapist “gets them”.  Studies have repeatedly and consistently shown  that the single most important factor in predicting successful treatment  outcomes is the relationship between therapist and patient.  In other  words, the most effective therapists are those who are responsive to  their patients’ problems, needs, and goals.  Rather than relying on a  specific set of techniques, I adopt an integrative approach in which I  help people achieve their goals, better understand what interferes, and  help them master their problems so that they can live more fulfilling  lives.  The integrative theoretical framework that guides my clinical  work, teaching, and research is control-mastery theory.  More details  about this theory can be found on my publications page and in my book, Transformative Relationships.