Cookbooks, manuals, and paint-by-numbers: Psychotherapy in the 90's

Journal/Book: Psychotherapy. 1996; 33: 3900 E Camelback Rd #200, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Amer Psychological Assoc, Div Psychotherapy. 207-215.

Abstract: This article critically reviews the Division 12 Task Force Report on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures and its update report and then these reports are used as illustrative of flaws in contemporary psychotherapy research. The Task Force makes sweeping generalizations based upon a paucity of research evidence. It does not address the issue of validation of manualization, nor the controversy over using manuals in psychotherapy. The complexities associated with measuring and assessing outcome are also ignored. Flaws common in contemporary psychotherapy displayed in the Task Force Report include the Type III Error, the exclusivity myth, ''methodolatry,'' and oversimplification of the concept of outcome. While so flawed as to be of dubious value for researchers or practitioners, the Report and its accompaniments are worrisome in their potential appeal to those who might want to limit the use of psychotherapies only to those ''validated'' by the Task Force.

Note: Article WH Silverman, 2665 S Bayshore Dr, Suite 406, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 USA

Keyword(s): OUTCOME RESEARCH; DEPRESSION; THERAPISTS; DURATION; COMMON

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