Elsevier

Behavior Therapy

Volume 45, Issue 1, January 2014, Pages 3-6
Behavior Therapy

Introduction to the Special Series: Bridge Between Science and Practice
Guest Editors: Michelle G. Newman and Marvin R. Goldfried
On the Dissemination of Clinical Experiences in Using Empirically Supported Treatments

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2013.09.007Get rights and content

Abstract

This article addresses the long-standing gap that has existed between psychotherapy research and practice and the efforts that have been made to bridge it. It also introduces one such effort, which has consisted of 3 clinical surveys on the experiences of practitioners in using empirically supported treatments for panic disorder, social anxiety, and OCD. In contrast to attempts to close the gap by disseminating research findings to the clinician, the clinical surveys are intended to allow for practitioners to disseminate their clinical experiences to the researcher—and also to other clinicians. What we view as a “two-way bridge” initiative is a collaboration between the Society of Clinical Psychology, Division 12 of the APA, and the Psychotherapy Division of the APA—Division 29. The mechanism that has been established provides a way for clinicians to be a part of the research process, which we hope will provide evidence that can help to enhance our clinical effectiveness.

Section snippets

The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice

In 1995, the Society of Clinical Psychology, Division 12 of APA, published the findings of a task force to delineate “empirically validated” therapies (Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, 1995). Later referred to as empirically “supported” treatments, these interventions were found to be efficacious on the basis of RCTs. Extending the work on identifying empirically supported treatments, the Psychotherapy Division of APA, Division 29, developed a task force to

The Need for Dissemination in Both Directions

Just as it is important for practicing clinicians to base their interventions on empirical evidence, so is it important for clinical experience to inform research (Kazdin, 2008). There are numerous instances where this has been done. One example is Sobell’s groundbreaking research that involved clinicians in the design and execution of a clinical trial in the treatment of substance abuse (Sobell, 1996). In another example, Eubanks-Carter, Burckell, and Goldfried (2010) compiled consensus

Building a Two-Way Bridge Between Research and Practice

The ongoing attempt to close the gap between research and practice has consisted of ongoing, but not always successful, efforts to disseminate the finding of RCTs to practicing clinicians. We would suggest that the mixed success of these efforts has been due, in part, to the fact that this has been a one-way bridge. As indicated earlier, not only have clinicians found the results of these studies to be limited, but there also exists an undercurrent of resentment on the part of practicing

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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