Determining the pertinence of psychotherapy outcome research findings for clinical practice: Comment on Westen and Morrison (2001).

Abstract

D. Westen and K. Morrison's (2001) article is a challenge to advocates of empirically supported therapies (ESTs) and to the research enterprise that has determined which therapies are given the EST designation. Their concern that the long-term effects of ESTs are understudied and, apparently, weak is valid. However, their pessimistic conclusions about the generalizability of the results from outcome studies of ESTs are based on a serious logical error. The authors of the present article described an alternative research method that can address important and appropriate questions about the generalizability of ESTs. Continued dialogue between proponents and opponents of contemporary trends in psychotherapy outcome research is encouraged.