ABSTRACT

The second edition of The Great Psychotherapy Debate has been updated and revised to expand the presentation of the Contextual Model, which is derived from a scientific understanding of how humans heal in a social context and explains findings from a vast array of psychotherapies studies. This model provides a compelling alternative to traditional research on psychotherapy, which tends to focus on identifying the most effective treatment for particular disorders through emphasizing the specific ingredients of treatment. The new edition also includes a history of healing practices, medicine, and psychotherapy, an examination of therapist effects, and a thorough review of the research on common factors such as the alliance, expectations, and empathy.

chapter |36 pages

History of Medicine, Methods, and Psychotherapy

Progress and Omissions

chapter |25 pages

The Contextual Model

Psychotherapy as a Socially Situated Healing Practice

chapter |20 pages

Contextual Model Versus Medical Model

Choosing a Progressive Research Programme

chapter |32 pages

Absolute Efficacy

The Benefits of Psychotherapy Established by Meta-Analysis

chapter |44 pages

Relative Efficacy

The Dodo Bird Still Gets It

chapter |20 pages

Therapist Effects

An Ignored but Critical Factor

chapter |35 pages

General Effects

Surviving Challenges and Anticipating Additional Evidence

chapter |42 pages

Specific Effects

Where Are They?

chapter |24 pages

Beyond the Debate

Implications of the Research Synthesis for Theory, Policy, and Practice