Summary of Advances in Empirical Support for Psychological Treatments

Advances in Psychotherapy Identification

  • Focus on the definition and application of Empirically Supported Treatments (ESTs) and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).

Relationship Between ESTs and EBP

  • EBP: Integration of research with clinical expertise and patient characteristics (APA, 2006).

  • ESTs serve as the research foundation for EBP but do not diminish clinical expertise.

Importance of Best Research

  • Movement toward ESTs is controversial.

  • EBP enhances clinical practice by combining scientific findings with clinician expertise.

  • ESTs show effective outcomes even in nonacademic, real-world settings.

Definition and Criteria of Best Available Research

  • Original criteria (Chambless & Hollon, 1998) based on well-designed studies.

  • Revised 2015 criteria emphasize using systematic reviews and all available Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).

  • Single Case Designs (SCDs) useful for individual efficacy but not for general population conclusions.

Boness et al. (2020) as a Template for EST Identification

  • Clear identification of a specific treatment for a defined clinical problem is necessary.

  • The treatment must be psychological rather than medication-based.

  • Use of high-quality systematic reviews for EST identification (AMSTAR 2 guidelines).

Recommendations Based on Quality Evidence

  • Strong recommendations indicate moderate-high quality evidence of treatment efficacy.

  • Consideration of evidence from non-research settings.

  • Reviews should assess both immediate and long-term effectiveness outcomes.

Future Directions in EST Reviews

  • Encouragement for more systematic reviews of psychological treatments.

  • Focus on identifying both treatment packages and active ingredients within treatments.

Conclusion

  • CBT-I recognized in other EST systems (e.g., NICE guidelines).

  • Division 12 is crucial for evaluating and identifying ESTs.

  • A systematic approach can enhance scientific integration in psychological practice and improve treatment efficacy.