Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy as a Science: An Iconoclastic Perspective

Since its inception, psychology has worked to establish itself as a legitimate scientific endeavor. Countless research studies have tested numerous theories and therapies, determining what works and what doesn't, and building a vast store of empirical knowledge. Now a startling and provocative new volume suggests that the problem withthe evidence base is that it is not scientific enough — and that the major modes of therapy are on their way out. In Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy as a Science, Luciano L'Abate expands on his previously controversial ideas, taking to task the one-to-one, face-to-face, talking-cure paradigm that has been entrenched for over a century. Citing the rise of self-help manuals, workbooks, written interactive practice exercises, and websites, he predicts the continued ascendance of writing in communication and healing, and details the contributions of technology in creating less-invasive homework-based interventions. These are presented as an efficient, cost-effective, and replicable alternative to traditional forms of therapy, and the author explains how their therapeutic gains can be achieved without sacrificing the therapeutic relationship. Included in the coverage are:
• The case for distance writing and computer conferences.
• Beyond reliability and validity: the quest for specificity.
• Stepped care research in clinical psychology and psychotherapy.
• Concreteness, or seven orphaned concepts in search of a theory.
• Toward a hierarchical personnel structure in clinical psychology and psychotherapy.
• Plus an appendix of supplemental workbooks for adults, children, adolescents, and families. As with the author's other works, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy as a Science will spark debate and interest among researchers and clinical psychologists and psychotherapists.