對於各式心理治療過程內療效機轉的未知，使得心理治療的改變如何發生，有效的治療應如何進行等問題，至今沒有一致的結論。過程研究因而成為目前心理治療研究的重點，其結果將具有理論建構與實務指引之價值，也可縮短長久以來治療研究與臨床工作缺少聯繫的問題。針對此目標而言，探索式的過程研究是很恰當的方法。本文以量化的探索式過程研究為主題，從治療者、案主、以及案主與治療者交互作用等三個面向進行分析。對於治療過程中，雙方內在心理歷程、背景因素、以及恰當時機如何交織成較佳的互動進行文獻回顧。

It is unclear and there are controversial arguments on the mechanisms of thepsychotherapeutic process, how psychological change occurs, and how effective psychotherapyshould be conducted. The study of the psychotherapeutic process, therefore, has become theprimary research focus in recent decades, and has potential value to inform theory constructionand clinical practice. Discovery-oriented process research is an appropriate method for thispurpose. Recent quantitative research surrounding therapist variables, client variables, and dyadicinteractions was reviewed. Some frequently used research design and analytic methods areintroduced. In light of the complexity of the dynamic relationships involved, methods for thecareful evaluation of mutual characters, timing, and contextual factors to form optimalcompatibility are discussed in this paper.