What Works for Whom?, First Edition: A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research - Softcover

"A valuable resource, and important reading for anyone interested in psychotherapy outcome! Patients entering psychotherapy have long been at the mercy of therapists who prescribe a single approach regardless of the problem. In a clear, rational review of the differential therapeutics of psychotherapy, What Works for Whom? offers useful guideposts for diagnosis-based treatment selection based on research findings. (An alternate title might be: What Works for Which Illnesses?) Clinicians, managed care health planners, and prospective patients should read this book!" --John C. Markowitz, MD, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center "Since those who ultimately pay for treatment and those who receive treatment are us--the public at large--it is surprising and regrettable that the demand for greater accountability in services has peaked only now.....We would profit immensely from a thorough, balanced, and incisive review of how research might guide clinical services. This book provides that review." --From the Foreword by Alan E. Kazdin, PhD, Yale University "Just as psychotherapy research led the way 20 years ago with the development and application of systematic reviews, so now it may be ahead of other fields in its critical appreciation of the limits of current empirical methods and its creative initiation of new ways to build a scientific base for clinical practice. If such is the judgment of future commentators, much of the credit for this will belong to Anthony Roth, Peter Fonagy, and their colleagues for this truly monumental book." --From the Foreword by David A. Shapiro, PhD, University of Leeds, UK "I want to congratulate you [the authors] and all those involved on an impressive piece of work. The overall quality is excellent. The tone is evenhanded and conveys a commitment to empiricism that is essential in the current political and social climate. I was also impressed with the authors' straightforwardness and 'neutrality' (in the best sense of the word) in drawing conclusions and making recommendations. I have seen and heard many discussions of these issues that are considerably more ideological or doctrinaire and considerably less useful for that reason. I think the manuscript will find a wide readership when published." --Paul A. Pilkonis, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic "The presentation is balanced and cautious throughout....This volume will be useful to a range of readers. For the clinician wishing to inform his or her practice with demonstrably effective treatments, it identifies the specific types of therapies that have been found useful for patients diagnosed with specific disorders. The psychotherapy researcher will appreciate the compilation of empirical studies on a range of disorders and may also profit from the authors' highlighting of therapies that are widely used but underresearched. The volume would also serve well as a text for graduate courses in therapeutic interventions." --Douglas A. Vakoch, PhD, The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "Comprehensive and thoughtful....this book is extremely valuable because it clearly and succinctly summarizes decades of research and presents a balanced approach to addressing questions related to outcome research....The book's comprehensiveness and clarity make it an excellent resource for those who want to learn about state-of-the-art outcome research without reading a large number of specialized articles....useful for students and clinicians who seek familiarity with the research literature as well as for healthcare providers, economists, politicians, and others whose decisions will ultimately impact the delivery of therapy." --Ilana D. Krakauer and Jacques P. Barber, Psychotherapy Research "The book is well written and documented. Points are made directly in a balanced manner so the limits of current empirical research and clinical techniques are evident while the direction to be taken in both research and practice is indicated. Valuable as an overview for practitioners, for training of students, and for thinking about the issues, this book has considerable shelf life." -- Psychological Reports "'Must' reading for researchers who wish to communicate effectively with clinicians, as well as for clinicians open to incorporating research data into their clinical decision-making." -- American Journal of Psychiatry "Belongs on the shelves of every practicing clinician." -- Readings "An invaluable reference for those interested in highly detailed descriptions of, and therapies for, given disorders, including those of children and adolescents and those of the elderly....In its extensive coverage and methodological sophistication, this volume truly presents the current status of psychotherapy research....An authoritative, unbiased, comprehensive accound of what is presently known and not known about what works for whom." -- American Journal of Psychotherapy "This is knowledge to read, digest, and use...The reader is in good hands....This is a book to be read and marked up (not put on the shelf) by individual clinicians, and by those who are trying to organize systems of care in this tough, managed-care environment. It is rare that a reviewer not only recommends the book but also urges a second volume by the authors. I amdoing so here." -- Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic "The book is well written and documented. Points are made directly in a balanced manner so the limits of current empirical research and clinical techniques are evident while the direction to be taken in both research and practice is indicated. Valuable as an overview for practitioners, for training of students, and for thinking about the issues, this book has considerable shelf life." --"Psychological Reports" "'Must' reading for researchers who wish to communicate effectively with clinicians, as well as for clinicians open to incorporating research data into their clinical decision-making." --"American Journal of Psychiatry" "Belongs on the shelves of every practicing clinician." --"Readings" "An invaluable reference for those interested in highly detailed descriptions of, and therapies for, given disorders, including those of children and adolescents and those of the elderly....In its extensive coverage and methodological sophistication, this volume truly presents the current status of psychotherapy research....An authoritative, unbiased, comprehensive accound of what is presently known and not known about what works for whom." --"American Journal of Psychotherapy" "This is knowledge to read, digest, and use...The reader is in good hands....This is a book to be read and marked up (not put on the shelf) by individual clinicians, and by those who are trying to organize systems of care in this tough, managed-care environment. It is rare that a reviewer not only recommends the book but also urges a second volume by the authors. I am doing so here." --"Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic"

This volume synthesizes information on the efficacy of the major models of psychotherapy for commonly encountered mental health problems. Maintaining a balance between empirical coniderations and the role of clinical judgement, the authors examine how research evidence can be used to improve the structure and planning of services to specific patient groups. The book is enhanced by a comprehensive disorder-by-disorder approach and careful attention to the methodological strengths and limitations of available research. The text should be of use to practitioners, students and researchers of clinical and counselling psychology, psychiatry and social work, as well as health care administrators and planners.