The motivational foundations of different therapeutic orientations as indicated by therapists' value preferences.

Objective: The present study investigates the relationships between therapists' value preferences and their beliefs in the efficacy of the four main therapeutic orientations (cognitive behavior, psychodynamic, client-centered, and eco-systemic).

Method: The study was conducted in Israel. Social workers practicing individual therapy in different psychosocial services participated in the study (n = 528).

Results: Personal value preferences explained a significant proportion of the variance in the social workers' beliefs in the efficacy of different therapeutic orientations. Each therapeutic orientation was associated with a specific pattern of value preferences, thus indicating that different therapeutic orientations promote or impede the attainment of the therapists' specific motivational goals.

Conclusions: The study results' implications for understanding the motivational foundations of different therapeutic orientations are discussed, as well as their possible application for therapist training and practice.