Practice-friendly research review: collaboration in routine care.

This article examines the research on patient-psychotherapist collaboration in ways that can inform and improve clinical practice. Clinical wisdom suggests and research supports the importance of goal consensus and collaboration; empirical support for this assertion is summarized and the implications for practice are provided. Then, we present a method of heightening collaboration through the use of assessment and feedback. Systematically monitoring psychological functioning, client perceptions of the therapeutic relationship, motivation and expectations of therapy, social support network, and untoward life events can enhance collaboration and ultimately treatment outcomes.