Why do they call some forms of psychotherapy evidence-based? Isn’t everything in science and medicine supposed to be informed by evidence?
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In the context of psychotherapy, “evidence-based” refers to practices that have been rigorously tested through controlled research studies and have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. While it’s true that evidence should inform all scientific and medical endeavors, there are reasons why not everything can be considered evidence-based.
Psychotherapy deals with complex human behaviors, emotions, and interactions, making it challenging to design studies that can capture all the nuances. Each patient presents unique characteristics, making it difficult to develop a single, universally effective treatment approach.
To add to it, research studies in psychotherapy often face methodological challenges, such as small sample sizes, high dropout rates, and limited follow-up periods. And while evidence-based practices are important, clinical practice guidelines also consider factors like patient preferences, cultural nuances, and provider expertise.
You have to have well designed studies that are peer reviewed, replicable, and have consistent outcomes. That’s not always but so possible in the field. EDIT: I should add, this is not always possible due to ethical considerations and the responsibility to prioritize humane testing above all.
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