Are there empirically supported psychotherapies?
Jul 02, 2010 · In Lambert's opinion (2005), “common factors are those dimensions of the treatment setting (therapist, therapy, client) that are not specific to any particular technique. Research on the broader concept of common factors investigates causal mechanisms such as expectation for improvement, therapist confidence, and a therapeutic relationship ...
Why is it important for therapists to be aware of these concepts?
Often in clinical practice, behavior analytic services are offered in combination with interventions that are not empirically validated. Essentially, ABA is often combined with other (non-validated) approaches in an eclectic model of intervention. Such dilution of …
Is psychotherapy evidence-based medicine?
Jun 02, 2015 · Therapists; Treatment Centers; Psychiatrists; Support Groups; x. Therapists: ... but some commonly implemented practices are not empirically validated and may be …
Is non-manualized psychotherapy effective?
Update of empirically validated therapies, II. The Clinical Psychologist, 51, 3-16. ... Because the treatment effects are large and clinically meaningful, it can be concluded that EMDR therapy is not a placebo treatment. For example, in a meta-analysis of PTSD treatments, ...
What makes a counseling treatment empirically supported and validated?
When can a treatment be considered an empirically supported treatment?
What is an example of an empirically supported treatment?
What is an empirically validated treatment?
What criteria must be met for a treatment to be classified as empirically supported?
When researchers or clinicians refer to empirically supported treatments they mean?
What are empirically supported treatments psychology?
Are empirically supported treatments the same as evidence based practice?
What are empirically supported relationships?
What is the scientific meaning of empirically supported therapy?
Which of the following is considered a shortcoming of empirically supported treatments?
What do researchers conclude when their hypotheses are confirmed?
What is EMDR therapy?
For Clinicians:Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the dist...
What is the theoretical basis for EMDR therapy?
Shapiro (1995) developed the Accelerated Information Processing model to describe and predict the effects of EMDR therapy. More recently, Shapiro (...
Is EMDR therapy a one-session cure?
No. When Shapiro (1989a) first introduced EMDR therapy into the professional literature, she included the following caveat: “It must be emphasized...
Is EMDR therapy an efficacious treatment for PTSD?
EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective trauma treatment and recommended worldwide in the practice guidelines of both domestic and international...
Are treatment effects maintained over time?
Twelve studies with PTSD populations assessed treatment maintenance by analyzing differences in outcome between post-treatment and follow-up. Follo...
Is EMDR therapy effective in the treatment of phobias, panic disorder, or agoraphobia?
There is much anecdotal information that EMDR therapy is effective in the treatment of specific phobias. Unfortunately, the research that has inves...
Is EMDR therapy applied to every clinical disorder?
No. EMDR therapy was developed as a treatment for traumatic memories and research has demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD (see...
Can the effects of EMDR therapy be attributed to placebo or non-specific effects?
No. A number of studies have found EMDR therapy superior in outcome to placebo treatments, and to treatments not specifically validated for PTSD. E...
What have meta-analyses revealed about EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy has been compared to numerous psychotherapy protocols. It should be noted that trauma-focused CBT and exposure therapy use one to two...
Is fidelity to treatment important?
Yes. Treatment fidelity is considered one of the gold standards of clinical research (Foa & Meadows, 1997). Clearly, if the treatment being tested...
What is the raison d'être of empirically supported treatment?
Accountability via the application of research to practice is the raison d'être of the empirically supported treatment (EST), evidence-based treatment (EBT), and evidence-based practice (EBP) movements. Although basing practice on empirical findings seems only reasonable, application becomes complex when unfurled in the various social, political, economic, and other ideological contexts that influence the delivery of mental health services (Norcross, Beutler, & Levant, 2006). This chapter describes two different approaches to defining and disseminating evidence (Littell, 2010)—one that seeks to improve clinical practice via the dissemination of treatments meeting a minimum standard of empirical support (EBT) and another that describes a process of research application to practice that includes clinical judgment and client preferences (EBP). We unfold the controversy by addressing the nature of evidence, how it is transported to real-world settings, and ultimately, whether such evidence improves client outcomes. To further inform the debate surrounding the two approaches, this chapter also discusses the randomized clinical trial (RCT), its specificity assumption, and the connection of the RCT to a medical model way of understanding psychotherapy. Finally, we strike at the heart of the controversy by tackling the thorny question of whether EBTs should be mandated.
How many manualized treatments are there in psychotherapy?
Drawing on 8 of the 12 overlapping lists of empirically supported therapies, Chambless and Ollendick 2001 noted that 108 different manualized treatments have met the specific criteria of empirical support—a daunting number for any clinician to consider. Although the move to manualize psychotherapy emerged from its increasing medicalization of psychotherapy, manuals have a positive role to play. They enhance the internal validity of comparative outcome studies, facilitate treatment integrity and therapists' technical competence, ensure the possibility of replication, and provide a systematic way of training and supervising therapists in specific models (Lambert & Ogles, 2004 ).
What is the acronym for clinical psychology?
Since that time, EST, EBT , and EBP have all become commonplace acronyms within clinical psychology and across the mental health and substance abuse fields.
What is the best available research?
Consisting of both researchers and practitioners, the APA Task Force defined “the best available research” as “results related to intervention strategies, assessment, clinical problems, and patient populations in laboratory and field settings as well as to clinically relevant results of basic research in psychology and related fields” ( 2006, p. 274). In contrast to the efforts of Division 12 and others that delineate the RCT as the gold standard of research, the Task Force did not identify one research methodology to be superior, maintaining that different methodologies are required to answer different research questions, including effectiveness studies, process research, single-subject designs, case studies, and qualitative methodologies.
How did evidence-based practice in psychology evolve?
Evidence-based practice in psychology evolved from evidence-based medicine (EBM). Leff 2002 posited three important events that shaped the evolution of EBM. First, in 1910, Abraham Flexner wrote of the conditions in medical schools that led to sweeping reforms in physician training with an increased emphasis on a curriculum undergirded by science. Second was the publication of the first RCT in 1948 in the British Medical Journal. The third major influence was the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and, in the early 1960s, the establishment of the double-blinded RCT as the gold standard for demonstrating efficacy and safety.
Why is client feedback important?
The APA Task Force 2006 commented that client feedback was an important area of research that needed to be considered as a means to improve treatment by “providing clinicians with real-time patient feedback to benchmark progress in treatment and clinical support tools to adjust treatment as needed” (p. 278). APA's Division 29 Task Force on Empirically Supported Relationships also supported the use of feedback by advising practitioners to “routinely monitor patients' responses to the therapy relationship and ongoing treatment. Such monitoring leads to increased opportunities to repair alliance ruptures, to improve the relationship, and to avoid premature termination” (Ackerman et al., 2001, p. 496).
When was the first psychology clinic founded?
The idea that clinical practice can be informed by empirical research, however, is not new and has been integral to psychology since the late 19th century, marked by Lightner Witmer's first psychology clinic in 1896 (see McReynolds, 1997 ).
What is behavior analytic services?
Often in clinical practice, behavior analytic services are offered in combination with interventions that are not empirically validated. Essentially, ABA is often combined with other (non-validated) approaches in an eclectic model of intervention. Such dilution of services often leads to reduced effectiveness.
Is there inconsistency between approaches and treatments?
In addition, there may be inconsistencies between approaches or interactions between treatments with differing philosophies and methods. Furthermore, many families pursue a wide variety of alternative interventions. Challenges are multiple and progress is slow, even with very effective and excellent intervention.
Is ABA effective for autism?
Unlike other interventions for individuals with autism, much data exist that supports the effectiveness of ABA in the treatment of individuals with autism. It is important to note that these studies have been published over the course of several decades, by hundreds of researchers worldwide, and many of them have been published in peer-reviewed ...
What is evidence based practice?
Evidence-based practice can denote a decision-making process in which practice (i.e., instruction) is informed by credible research evidence. It is important to note that evidence-based decision-making is not dictated by research evidence. Indeed, advocates of evidence-based practice emphasize that factors such as clinical expertise ...
Why should EBPs be implemented?
Implementing EBPs should occur within the context of effective teaching and effective schools to bring about desired improvements in learner outcomes. EBPs are tools that can make good practitioners even more effective, and should not be used to control instruction or curriculum.
Why is scientific research important?
Because scientific research—especially when synthesized across multiple, high-quality, experimental studies—is generally recognized as the most valid source of evidence for determining what works, prioritizing such evidence-based practices over relatively ineffective approaches should result in increased learner outcomes. ...
Is evidence based practice universally effective?
Some of the other devilish details related to evidence-based practice include: EBPs are supported by bodies of research indicating that they are generally, not universally, effective. There are no magic bullets (but this doesn’t mean that some practices aren’t generally more effective than others).
Is EBP a synonym for best practice?
Although best practice, research-based practice, and EBP are not synonyms, they are often used indiscriminately to refer to practices believed to be effective. Unfortunately, as the popularity of evidence-based reforms has grown, “evidence-based” is increasingly used as a marketing tool rather than as an indication of valid research support.
What is the purpose of EMDR therapy?
Shapiro (1995, 2001) hypothesizes that EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing of the traumatic memory network, so that information processing is enhanced, with new associations forged between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories or information.
What is EMDR therapy?
For Laypeople: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.
How many studies have been done on EMDR?
There have been three studies that investigated EMDR treatment of panic disorder with/out agoraphobia. The first two studies were preliminary (Feske & Goldstein, 1997;Goldstein & Feske, 1994) and provided a short course (six sessions) of treatment for panic disorder. The results were promising, but limited by the short course of treatment. Feske and Goldstein write, “Even 10 to 16 sessions of the most powerful treatments rarely result in a normalization of panic symptoms, especially when these are complicated by agoraphobia” (p. 1034). The EMDR therapy effects were generally maintained at follow-up. A third study (Goldstein et al., 2000) was conducted to assess the benefits of a longer treatment course. This study however changed the target population and treated agoraphobic patients. Participants suffering from Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia did not respond well to EMDR therapy. Goldstein (quoted in Shapiro, 2001) suggests that these participants needed more extensive preparation, than was provided in the study, to develop anxiety tolerance. The authors suggest that EMDR therapy may not be as effective as CBT in the treatment of panic disorder with/out agoraphobia; however no direct comparison studies have yet been conducted. A study (Faretta, 2013) compared 12 sessions of EMDR with CBT in the treatment of panic disorder with or without accompanying agoraphobia. The processing of etiological events, triggers and memory templates was accomplished in session without the use of treatment-specific homework. In contrast, the CBT group utilized in-session breathing and relaxation exercises plus imaginal exposure, and was assigned both relaxation and exposure homework. Both treatments demonstrated a substantial decrease in anxiety symptoms, intensity and frequency of panic attacks. EMDR resulted in significantly fewer panic attacks than CBT at posttest and follow-up.
How many sessions of PTSD are there?
Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.
What is the first phase of EMDR?
With EMDR therapy, these items are addressed using an eight-phase treatment approach. Phase 1: The first phase is a history-taking session (s).
Why is there confusion in PTSD?
The confusion appears to be due to (a) an inadequate awareness of the lack of placebo effects in treating PTSD; (b) a theoretical and methodological lack of distinction between EMDR therapy and exposure procedures; (c) debates over the importance of the eye movement component of EMDR; (d) poorly designed outcome studies; and (e) historical misinformation which then becomes confounded with empirical research findings.
Is hypnosis a form of EMDR?
The American Journal of Hypnosis published a special issue on the use of EMDR therapy and hypnosis. An introductory article by the editor and past president of the American Association of Clinical Hypnosis directly addressed the issue: “While it has been argued against categorizing hypnosis as a specific type of treatment method (e.g., Fischolz, 1995; 1997a; 1997b; 2000; Fischholz & Spiegel, 1983), this is not the case for EMDR. Like psychoanalysis, EMDR is both an evolving theory about how information is perceived, stored and retrieved in the human brain and a specific treatment method based on this theory (Shapiro, 1995, 2001). In fact, EMDR is a very unique treatment method, which like other types of treatment/methods/techniques (e.g. psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapy, behavior, cognitive-behavioral therapy, ego-state therapy) can also be incorportated with hypnosis (Hammond, 1990).
Why should a therapist disclose information?
When a therapist decides to disclose certain information, it’s important to keep in mind that the reason for doing so is to help support the person in therapy and advance the treatment. The therapist must ensure the disclosure is in the best interests of and for the benefit of the person they are helping and be careful not to turn the focus on the therapist . The therapist should not disclose anything that may require the person they are helping to then be in a position of caring for the therapist. For example, it would not be appropriate to bring up unresolved grief or any other issues the therapist is wrestling with.
Why is disclosure important for therapists?
When a therapist decides to disclose certain information, it’s important to keep in mind that the reason for doing so is to help support the person in therapy and advance the treatment. The therapist must ensure the disclosure is in the best interests of and for the benefit of the person they are helping and be careful not to turn the focus on the therapist.
Why is a therapeutic alliance important?
A strong therapeutic alliance is one of the biggest factors in whether therapy is helpful, and some level of disclosure can help in developing this necessary rapport. Additionally, when therapists share that they personally relate to pain, struggle, or challenge, they can instill hope and help to reduce feelings of isolation or helplessness.
What is the challenge of a therapist?
One challenge that can arise for therapists is the decision whether to disclose personal tidbits of information as they become potentially relevant during treatment with the people we help. I recently provided consult to a colleague who brought this dilemma to light and gave me the opportunity to contemplate all of the aspects involved in deciding whether to share information in our work.
Why is it important to share your experiences with a therapist?
For one, sharing common experiences can strengthen the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, revealing limited personal information or mentioning mutual experiences can help make the therapist seem more “human” or “real,” which can increase the comfort level of the person seeking help.
Is disclosing information a right or wrong answer?
Apart from issues that involve clear legal or ethical guidelines, there is often no right or wrong answer as to whether disclosing certain information is appropriate or warranted. By considering the above questions, therapists may be better able to make decisions that are well thought out and upholding of their duty to act in the best interests of the people they help.
Do therapists have to disclose their work?
The therapist must ensure the disclosure is in the best interests of and for the benefit of the person they are helping and be careful not to turn the focus on the therapist. The therapist should not disclose anything that may require the person they are helping to then be in a position of caring for the therapist.
Why is it so discouraging to see a therapist?
If you have goals you want to achieve during therapy or changes you want to make, it can be discouraging if your therapist doesn’t show that they share your interests. It can be even more disheartening if they show any of these other clear signs of boredom or lack of interest:
Why should a therapist not be shy?
A therapist should not appear nervous, shy, or unconfident because it can raise doubt for you as the client. It can be natural for new therapists to experience this, but how can you trust the guidance of someone who doesn’t have conviction in what they say? A licensed therapist has much knowledge (backed by a lot of training and graduate degrees) and should be confident about their approach to psychotherapy.
How do you know if your therapist is asleep?
You can usually tell your therapist fell asleep if they respond awkwardly (after being awoken) or if they flat out start snoring. It doesn’t mean that your therapist isn’t interested in what you’re saying. They’re probably just tired. Many licensed therapists run their own practice, and they can sometimes work long hours to keep it running.
How to tell if a therapist is overwhelmed?
But if a therapist shows signs of overwhelm, it may mean that they are not present. Some body language cues showing this might include hands on their forehead, a blank expression, or not making eye contact. Their dialogue can also be a giveaway — being negative, having a cold tone of voice, or talking too fast or slow. This can be incredibly uncomfortable for you and make you feel like nobody can help you or you’re not worth a therapist’s time.
What is trust in therapy?
Trust is the foundation of any relationship between a licensed therapist and their client. But if they jump into the details of your life before you’re comfortable sharing, it can be very awkward for you. Instead, a therapist should start with basic details that are easy to talk about.
What should a therapist know about a mental health session?
They should know that anything that happens during these sessions is strictly about your mental health and nothing more.
Why is it important to have a good therapist?
A good therapist does this not only to ensure you get the best help, but it also shows that they care and that they’re genuinely involved.
What should a counselor discuss before initiating therapy?
Along with providing clients with easy access to such information, a discussion regarding the counselor’s background and treatment approach should occur before initiating therapy. By taking these steps, the counselor is in a better position to avoid the mistake of poor client–counselor fit.
What is an unprofessional therapist?
Unprofessional therapist behavior represents a grave mistake with the potential to undermine the goals of therapy. In many ways, professionalism in the therapeutic setting is much the same as that in other types of jobs. For example, counselors are expected to be on time, well groomed, and appropriately dressed.
How does quality counseling work?
Quality counseling means that the therapist does not make the mistake of jumping in too quickly, but instead, builds rapport early on, taking adequate time to establish trust.
Why is checking in with a client important?
By checking in regularly with the client, the counselor is better able to avoid making assumptions and thus to develop a counseling strategy that is consistent with the client’s needs and expectations.
Why is counseling important?
With its widespread use, it is imperative that counseling is performed based on research-supported methods that promote positive client adjustment. Researchers have identified some key behaviors ...
How does a counselor build rapport?
While the exact process of building rapport is dependent on the individuals involved, skilled counselors can gauge each client’s degree of responsiveness at the beginning of treatment. Building rapport in ways that serve the unique needs of clients is essential, as it enhances the client’s motivation to work with the therapist toward achieving their treatment goals (Tahan & Sminkey, 2012).
Why is trust diminished in therapy?
Trust is diminished when therapists are unable to relate to or empathize with a client’s acculturation challenges. While it may be optimal for clients to be matched with counselors in terms of ethnic background, this is not always feasible. However, counselors convey respect by educating themselves in terms of the history and culture of their clients and using methods that enhance multicultural sensitivity.