AREN'T ALL THERAPIES THE SAME?
This is a source of great debate in the psychotherapy research field. Some studies have shown that all therapies are about the same and are helpful for most people most of the time. This is what is termed the "Dodo bird effect" after Alice in Wonderland where all therapies have "won and will have prizes." Other more recent studies have shown that certain evidenced based therapies are more helpful and reduce symptoms and problems more quickly and more effectively than other approaches. So it does not seem that all therapies are equal after all.
Evidenced based psychotherapies are therapies that have been developed and rigorously tested in research and have been proven to work most of the time.
However, newer research has shown that evidenced based psychotherapies (EBP's) tend to be shorter and more effective for specific problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues etc. However, the length and course of treatment varies depending upon your goals and the complexity of the problem.
So you may be wondering what therapies other practitioners provide and if they are evidenced based or not? This is a good question to ask the psychologist or mental health professional you are interviewing for therapy. Some therapists in the community or at hospitals use evidenced based practice readily. However, some mental health professionals do not use evidenced based methods and rely on other more general interventions such as listening, providing validation, and giving advice. These approaches can be helpful but for many these techniques may not be enough as more active and tested interventions are needed for some.
The American Psychological Association released a policy statement in 2005 indicating rising concern about mental health professionals who were not using science and research as the base for their practice. Some professionals may use techniques they know rather than the latest and most effective techniques for therapy.
Some therapists do practice evidenced based models. Private practice therapists vary on whether they do or not. The advantages of seeing a psychologist or therapist who provides evidenced based psychotherapy is that you can be assured you are getting a quality service that has been rigorously tested and is proven to get results most of the time. This also assures you the provider has expertise in providing this therapy and isn't "shooting from the hip" with interventions.
APA Statement on Evidenced Based Practice can be found here:
