Uniformity Myths in Eclectic and Integrative Psychotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Almost thirty years ago, Kiesler (1966) described a number of “uniformity assumption myths” that he believed were impeding progress in psychotherapy research. His argument was that nearly all domains of variables in psychotherapy and psychotherapy research are considerably more heterogeneous than the then-current descriptive labels implied. Thus, lack of progress in psychotherapy research was based partly on assuming that those variables (e.g., clients, problems, psychotherapists) were homogeneous and thereby asking the wrong questions. While it is not clear that Kiesler’s concerns have been adequately addressed, even today, it does appear as though a new class of uniformity myths may be affecting the newest developments in the field of psychotherapy. These myths are assumptions underlying some of the key foundations of the fields of integrative and eclectic psychotherapy. In sum, these myths are: (1) that all psychotherapies have equivalent outcomes; (2) that all theories (or systems) of psychotherapy are equally sound; and (3) that cultural homogeneity exists for all eclectic and integrative clients and psychotherapists, encouraging the uncritical dissemination of Western approaches to psychotherapists from other traditions and cultures.