An Introduction to the Science and Practice of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: A Framework for Evaluation and a Way Forward

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book presents the most systematic evaluation of psychotherapies for a variety of psychological disorders. The structure relies heavily on the David and Montgomery framework for evaluating the state of the science of psychotherapy interventions. This framework is used as a springboard to consider both theory (i.e., mechanisms of psychological change) and the therapeutic package. The randomized clinical trial (RCT) became the gold standard for establishing an evidence-based psychological treatment. Probably the first large-scale RCTs involving psychotherapy, as compared with pharmacotherapy, were related to cognitive psychotherapy for depression. By providing an up-to-date snapshot of the field of psychotherapy and pinpointing gaps in our knowledge of the efficacy and effectiveness of diverse interventions, the book provides researchers with potential directions for future studies.