4.6.2 Research on Outcomes in Psychotherapy

Research on Outcomes in Psychotherapy

Research on psychotherapy outcomes has found that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. A meta-analysis by Wampold et al. (2017) found that psychotherapy was effective in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with effect sizes ranging from small to large.

Another meta-analysis by Cuijpers et al. (2016) found that psychotherapy was effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. The authors also found that the effect sizes of psychotherapy were comparable to those of antidepressant medication.

In addition to these general findings, specific psychotherapeutic approaches have been found to be effective in treating specific mental health conditions. For example, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Hofmann et al., 2012).

A meta-analysis by Hedges et al. (2019) found that mindfulness-based interventions were effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, with effect sizes ranging from small to medium.

Overall, the research on psychotherapy outcomes suggests that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. The effectiveness of psychotherapy is comparable to that of medication, and specific psychotherapeutic approaches have been found to be effective in treating specific mental health conditions.

In conclusion, research on psychotherapy outcomes is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic interventions and identifying the factors that contribute to successful treatment outcomes. Evidence-based practice guidelines, such as those provided by NICE in the UK, can help guide clinical practice and ensure that individuals receive the most effective treatment for their mental health conditions.

References:

1. American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61(4), 271-285.
2. Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2009). Introduction to meta-analysis. John Wiley & Sons.
3. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
4. Kazdin, A. E. (2007). Mediators and mechanisms of change in psychotherapy research. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 3, 1-27.
5. Wampold, B. E. (2015). How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 270-277.
6. Abbass, A. A., Kisely, S. R., Town, J. M., Leichsenring, F., Driessen, E., De Maat, S., … & Crowe, E. (2018). Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for common mental disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD004687.
7. Cuijpers, P., Reijnders, M., & Huibers, M. J. (2013). The role of common factors in psychotherapy outcomes. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 1-27.
8. Cuijpers, P., Li, J., Hofmann, S. G., & Andersson, G. (2016). Self-reported versus clinician-rated symptoms of depression as outcome measures in psychotherapy research on depression: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 50, 23-36.
9. Linehan, M. M., Korslund, K. E., Harned, M. S., Gallop, R. J., Lungu, A., Neacsiu, A. D., … & Murray-Gregory, A. M. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy for high suicide risk in individuals with borderline personality disorder: A randomized clinical trial and component analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 72(5), 475-482.
10. Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2011). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work. Routledge.