What does it mean to "empirically validate" the work we do? What do we mean by "empirical" and what do we mean by "validate"?   Do we need to validate, or is it enough to just support?  What counts as evidence?  How exactly do we capture in numbers the true essence of the work we do?  Should we?

This web page contains links to some of the original articles that provoked the debates that are still occurring about the empirical evidence for psychotherapy effectiveness.

 

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If we do not take on this task, the challenge will not magically disappear. Rather, someone else will dictate what treatments are acceptable and what types of evidence are privileged. We will have MORE leverage with insurers, courts and policy-makers when APA has a clear statement asserting that we are a science-based profession and preserving the right for psychologists to make the final, evidence-informed decisions in clinical practice.  - Levant, R. (2005, February). Evidence-based practice in psychology. Monitor on Psychology, 36.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DIGGING DEEPER INTO SOME OF THESE ISSUES,
HERE ARE SOME GOOD PLACES TO START:


I'm between theories right now. I'm very vulnerable.

 

The Evolution of Psychotherapy: An Oxymoron
Scott Miller, PhD
(Invited Address from The Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference 2013 in Anaheim, California)

Previous Editions of the DSM
(This links to documents on the H drive, so this is only available if you are at work.  Unfortunately, this link only works if you are using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Alternatively you can go to the H drive > Individual Staff - public files > David > DSM Hx and double click on "index.html")

DSM-5 Development - includes details about the revision process and proposed changes
The Effects of Psychotherapy: An Evaluation - H. J. Eysenck (1952)
 
Depth Psychology and the Empirically Supported Movement: Critical Issues - Louis Hoffman (2005)
 
Mistreating Psychology in the Decades of the Brain  - G. A. Miller (2010)
 
How we think about cognition, emotion, and biology in psychopathology  - G. A. Miller (1996)
 
Introduction to Philosophy of Mind
 
What is it like to be a bat - T. Nagel (1974)
 
Telling More Than We Can Know - Nisbett & Wilson (1977)
 
Philosophy of the Person: Lecture notes and readings - Sandy LaFave