Science & Research
Evidence-based practice requires therapists to stay current with evolving research while maintaining a healthy skepticism about therapeutic fads. Examining the science of what really works in therapy, from common client factors to the qualities of exceptional clinicians, helps us refine our craft and deliver better outcomes.
These articles explore the studies and research that shape our understanding of the science of psychotherapy. Discover effectiveness research, common factors for change, and other evidence-based insights from Scott Miller, Scott Lilienfeld, and others.
Across all our therapeutic modalities, there are elements that most effectively create change. What do these elements have in common, and how can you integrate... Read more
Are we doing enough as clinicians—and as a field—to ensure we’re using truly science-based treatments? Read more
We once believed that following in the footsteps of the medical model would ensure the viability of mental health professionals. But in the face of growing... Read more
If someone promised to make you an expert in six months, you’d suspect they were selling snake oil. Meaningful personal development takes time and effort... Read more
As academic researchers continue the push for manualized, protocol-driven therapy, a psychodynamic therapist pushes back. Read more
According to Barbara Fredrickson, a leading scholar in the field of social psychology and affective science, we have a tendency to think about love in abstract... Read more
Philip Zimbardo, the researcher famous for shining a light on our worst authoritarian impulses, has shifted the focus of his work. Read more
Research proves false many of the common myths about self-compassion that keep us trapped in the prison of relentless self-criticism. Read more
Susan Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, discusses what the science of love says about what couples can expect when they rebel too much... Read more
Therapists are far more impressed with clinical fads than they should be. Read more
Most therapists, when asked, report checking in routinely for client feedback and knowing when to do so. But research has found this to be far from true. Read more
Our understanding of what happens when we weep hasn't progressed much beyond Freud's theory of catharsis. However, knowing how our nervous systems work can... Read more
A close-up look at a 20-year, multinational study that captures the heart of therapists’ aspirations—and perhaps the soul of our professional identity. Read more
Listening to your inner therapist * Can we admit that therapy is sometimes harmful? * Botox's interference with emotions * The fearlessness--criminality link ... Read more
Why do some therapists clearly stand out above the rest, consistently getting far better results than most of their colleagues? According to the research, it... Read more
Self-Described grouch Martin Seligman, the father of the positive psychology movement, is trying to turn happiness into a science. Read more
Psychologists Robert-Jay Green and Paul D. Werner of the California School of Professional Psychology insist that family therapists who don't rethink their... Read more
Where's the science in psychotherapy? Read more
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