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Evidence-Based Psychotherapy

A practice primer on evidence-based psychotherapy: EBPP versus empirically supported treatments, levels of evidence, effect sizes and numbers needed to treat, a disorder-by-disorder therapy map, and how to choose and match treatments.

3 readsapprox. 3 min5 sections

Does this apply to your situation?

The first one is expanded; click a heading to collapse it.

What "evidence-based" means for you: the approach has been repeatedly tested in randomised trials and meta-analyses, rather than resting on personal experience.
It does not mean one-size-fits-all: good therapy adapts to your preferences, culture, age and situation, and several approaches may be equally valid for the same problem.
What you may encounter: the therapist explains the rationale, expected course, alternatives and likely discomfort (exposure work temporarily increases anxiety); therapy tends to be more structured and time-limited, with homework and outcome tracking.
Be wary if the therapist never discusses evidence, chats without focus, or sells unverifiable "cures".

You need to read evidence levels and outcome metrics: RCTs, meta-analyses, effect sizes, confidence intervals, follow-up and dropout.
You need to distinguish evidence-based practice (EBPP) from empirically supported treatments (EST), and to know the evidence on alliance and common factors.
You need a basic framework for manualised treatment versus flexibility, cultural adaptation, and coordination with medication and other professions.
Typical uses: choosing an approach and dose at the start, adjusting or switching when progress stalls, and explaining your rationale to doctors, schools or social workers.

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy — practice primer

This page is a Chinese-language practice primer. The outline below summarises it in English.

Why it matters

Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and the client's characteristics, culture and preferences. Evidence matters, but it is not the only pillar.

Core framework

EBPP versus empirically supported treatments; levels of evidence from meta-analyses down to case reports; effect size, NNT, reliable change and follow-up; and the therapy map by disorder cluster.

Assessment and decisions

A six-step selection framework (identify the problem, check the evidence, match the client, decide dose and length, coordinate and refer, monitor throughout), what to do when evidence and judgement conflict, and the evidence on therapeutic alliance.

China

Availability of trained CBT, IPT, DBT and MI practitioners, the split between medical and non-medical practice, cultural adaptation, and medication-psychotherapy coordination.

FAQs and appendices

Whether evidence guarantees success, whether integrative work is weaker, and what to do when a client refuses exposure work; disorder-based quick-reference table and an evidence-appraisal checklist.