Evidence In The Psychological Therapies: A Critical Guidance For Practitioners

Evidence in the Psychological Therapies Research evidence is increasingly used as the benchmark of clinical quality. Using straightforward language and practical illustrations, Evidence in the Psychological Therapies explores why evidence is important, the forms it can take, and how evidence can be gathered and used across a range of practice from behavioural therapies to psychoanalysis. Experts in law, sociology and philosophy look at the nature of evidence from first principles before commenting on its role in the psychotherapies. The merits of taking randomised trials to be the ideal source of evidence concerning psychological treatments are critically assessed. The uses of evidence in different therapeutic contexts are illustrated through discussions of: the place of hypotheses in the consulting room (and how these are likely to differ in different treatment models); the relationships between qualitative and quantitative research and treatment; and the contributions evidence from audit makes to the improvement of clinical services. Appraisal of evidence emerges as a longstanding if under-acknowledged element of good practice everywhere, whose potential is still far from being realised. Evidence in the Psychological Therapies will help psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, clients and service providers to be better informed about the place of evidence-based approaches in this complex and personal arena. In asking how far it is appropriate to apply the same standards of evidence to biochemistry and to emotional wellbeing, Evidence in the Psychological Therapies will also assist therapists of all persuasions in evaluating the promise and the limitations of evidence-based practice for themselves. Chris Mace is Senior Lecturer in Psychotherapy at the University of Warwick and Consultant Psychotherapist to South Warwickshire Combined Care NHS Trust. Stirling Moorey is Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to the South London and The ii Maudsley NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry. Bernard Roberts is Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy to the Parkside Clinic. Evidence in the Psychological Therapies A Critical Guide for Practitioners Edited by Chris Mace, Stirling Moorey and Bernard Roberts First published 2001 by Brunner-Routledge 27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Taylor & Francis Inc 325 Chestnut Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia PA 19106 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” Brunner-Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group © 2001 Selection and editorial matter, Chris Mace, Stirling Moorey and Bernard Roberts; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Evidence in the psychological therapies: a critical guide for prac