What causes change in psychotherapy?  Specific treatments applied to specific disorders?  Those in the “evidence-based” say so and have had a huge influence on behavioral healthcare policy and reimbursement.  Over the last 10 years, my colleagues and I have written extensively and traveled the world offering a different perspective: by and large, the effectiveness of care is due to a shared group of factors common to all treatment approaches.

In place of “evidence-based” practice, we’ve argued for “practice-based”evidence.  Said another way, what really matters in the debate is whether clients benefit–not the particular treatment approach.  Here on my website, clinicians can download absolutely free measures that can be used to monitor and improve outcome and retention (click Performance Metrics).

Anyway, the message is finally getting through.  Recently, uber-statistician and all around good guy Bruce Wampold, Ph.D. debated prominent EBP proponent Steve Hollon.  Following the exchange, a vote was taken.  Bruce won handily: more than 15:1.

Scroll down to “Closing Debate” (Thursday)