Many convincing cases have been made both for and against the use of randomized control trails (RCTs) in psychotherapy research. Throughout this paper many of those cases will be explored. In light of the existing literature I believe randomized control trail (RCT) designs are essential in psychotherapy research and in the advancement of empirically supported treatments (EST). I do not, however, believe they are exclusively necessary for their advancement. RCTs are one of the most important components in psychotherapy research but not the only component. Westen et al. (2004a) presents one of most convincing and controversial papers among the literature addressing the use of RCTs in psychotherapy research; the paper by Westen and colleagues addresses some of the major problems with RCT designs and advocates the use of alternative measures for psychotherapy research. I will begin by addressing the issues with RCT designs as discussed in the Westen et al. (2004a) paper, mainly the set of assumptions RCT methodology is believed to rely on, as well as the responses to the allegations. I will turn next to discuss the issues of internal and external validity, as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of RCT designs, and close with a recommendation for the use of RCTs in the future. Westen et al. (2004a), brings forth some interesting allegations regarding the use of RCTs. Some of which are widely agreed upon, others which appear to be nothing other than faulty allegations. The argument against the use of RCT designs by Westen et al. (2004a) is founded on the belief that in order for RCT methodologies to validate ESTs a certain set of assumptions must be met, and it is of course argued that these assumptions are not well validated and not widely applicable. I will touch on three of the assumptions brought forth in the Westen et al. (2004a) paper: malleability
Heitler, Susan. Ph.D. “8 Reasons to Cheer for Psychotherapy and to Broaden Its Availability.” Psychology Today. N.p. 10 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2013
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form a therapy that is short term, problem focused, cost effective, and can be provided to a broad range of disorders and is based on evidence based practices, in fact it is has the most substantial evidence based of all psychosocial therapies (Craske, 2017, p.3). Evidence based practice are strategies that have been proven to be effective through research and science. One goal of CBT is to decrease symptoms and improve the quality of life by replacing maladaptive behaviors, emotions and cognitive responses with adaptive responses (Craske, 2017, p.24). The behavioral intervention goal is to decrease maladaptive behavior and increase adaptive behavior. The goal of cognitive intervention is to modify maladaptive cognitions, self-statements or beliefs. CBT grew out of behavioral therapy and the social learning theory (Dobson, 2012, p.9). It wasn’t until the 1950s that CBT started to swarm the psychology field. Due to nonscientific psychoanalytic approaches, there was a need for a better form of intervention which ensued to behavioral therapy (Craske, 2017, p.9). Behavioral therapy included two types of principles classical and instrumental. Classical conditioning is based on response behavior and instrumental conditioning is more voluntary behavior (Craske, 2017, p.10). Although there was improvement in treatment, clinicians were still dissatisfied
term, refers to a group (or family) of related interventions in which the helper deliberately and
Hollon, S. D. & Beck, A. T. (2004). Cognitive and cognitive behavioral therapies. Bergin And Garfield’S Handbook Of Psychotherapy And Behavior Change, 5 pp. 447--492.
As part of the requirements for a degree in Criminal Justice at the State University of New York at Buffalo, I have to conduct a research study. This research looks at the effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on recidivism rates.
Theron, M.J. (2008). Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology [PDF] available at The University of South Africa website; umkn-dsp01.unisa.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10500/2554/dissertation.pdf?sequence=1 (p.32)
Roth, A., Fonagy, P. (2005). What works for Whom? A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research. US: Guilford Press.
Nelson-Gray, Rosemery O. "Treatment Utility Of Psychological Assessment." Psychological Assessment 15.4 (2003): 521-531. PsycARTICLES. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
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There may be those individuals who work better under a more structured therapy, such as CBT, and the clear identification of cause and effect from cognition and emotion towards the ensuing behavior. Cognitive therapy model encourages clients to remain in the here and now. The behavioural therapy approach may not benefit those that are not willing to explore their past and likely this model will not be successful under these circumstances. Clear guidelines for therapy are set in CBT, while goals are set for Person-Centered therapy but they are long-term without set goals for the therapeutic
Leichsenring, F., & Leibing, E. (2003). The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of personality disorders: a meta-analysis. American Journal Of Psychiatry, 160(7), 1223--1232.
McGinn, L.K., & Sanderson, W.C. (2001). What Allows Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to be Brief: Overview, Efficacy, and Crucial Factors Facilitating Brief Treatment. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8, 23-37.
Shafran, R., Clark, D. M., Fairburn, C. G., Arntz, A., Barlow, D. H., Ehlers, A., . . . Wilson, G. T. (2009). Mind the gap: Improving the dissemination of CBT. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(11), 902-909. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2009.07.003
Wampold, B. E. (2001). The great psychotherapy debate: Models, methods, and findings. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
CBT does not implement one rigid plan to use for every client but the outline should consist of building a good therapeutic relationship, setting goals, planning treatment, and selecting interventions (“History of CBT,” 2015). In CBT the irrational beliefs of events are the core psychological variable in psychopathology. Clinicians would need to address this key component in a way that would effectively treat the psychological distress. To do so they would first need to create a relationship built on trust and confidence, they would then need to address the type of unrealistic thinking that is occurring within the client and the situations in which it occurs. By doing so the clinician will be able to appropriately help the client identify and evaluate their thoughts. With the thoughts now recognized the clinician can help the client change their distorted thinking through the interventions that work best for the particular psychological distress that is occurring (“History of CBT,” 2015). CBT is beneficial in treating many different populations, however studies have shown it is very effective for some and moderately effective for others. Butler et al. (2006) found a large effect size for CBT in the unipolar depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and childhood depressive and anxiety disorder