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Morgan Lacher
Loras College
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Currently, a major controversy in both psychology and society as a whole is the debate
over the efficacy of psychotherapy through evidence of its scientific support and benefits.
Essentially, individuals are questioning if the practices of psychotherapy can be beneficial and if
those beneficial qualities are supported by the scientific psychology community. According to
the informed and intentional application of clinical methods and interpersonal stances derived
from established psychological principles for the purpose of assisting people to modify their
behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and/or other personal characteristics in directions that the
participants deem desirable" (Norcross, 1990). Although there are multiple variations of
therapy, psychotherapists all strive to accomplish the same goal: alleviate the symptomology of
Dr. Robert Berezin worked as a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School before
relationship between psychotherapy and human identity. While comparing the mind to the
theatrical world, he asserts: Psychotherapy responsively addresses the cause of suffering and
symptoms and ameliorates them in exactly the way they were constructed in the first place.
Through boundaries and the context of genuine emotional holding, it allows for the mourning of
our problematic plays and fosters the writing of a new play grounded in authenticity and love
(Berezin, 2014). Psychotherapy not only seeks to identify the underlying issues causing the
emotional distress, but also works on combatting the symptomology of a multitude of mental
illnesses. Some of the numerous benefits of psychotherapy include the sustainability of the
practice and the ability to alleviate the symptoms of a variety of mental illnesses and conditions.
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The practice of psychotherapy is not only supported by empirical scientific data, but it also
Psychotherapy was first advocated for by English psychiatrist Walter Cooper Dendy in
1853, with Dendys desire to talk about emotional problems in therapeutic settings. Dendy
coined the term psycho-therapeia which has since then been altered to psychotherapy (Dendy,
1853). Following Dendy, Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of psychoanalysis in the late
1800s and early 1900s, which focused greatly on the understanding of the unconscious mind
(Haggerty, 2016).
Since the arrival of the twentieth century, psychotherapy has developed into what it is
today. Psychotherapy can be conducted in group and individual settings, the efficacy of
psychotherapy does not depend on the number of individuals in a session (Rinaldi, 1985).
Although many forms of psychotherapy are utilized today, cognitive behavioral therapy and
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is arguably the most utilized form of psychotherapy
in the United States currently. Dr. Aaron Beck, a practicing psychiatrist at the University of
Pennsylvania, first pioneered the practice in 1960 in hopes of discovering a better way to treat
depression in his clients. Beck acknowledged that an underlying factor in the sustainability of
depressive symptoms were his patients autonomic thoughts, or cognitions that occurred
automatically. CBT works to identify and evaluate these autonomic thoughts in individuals in
order to create a change in cognition which inherently affects ones behavior (Beck, 2016).
In the time frame spanning 1977 to 2006, CBT and its effects on depression have been
tested in clinical trials over 75 times, demonstrating the empirical data supporting the
effectiveness of CBT (Butler et al., 2006). Also, CBT is not limited to solely treating depression;
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rather, CBT has been found to effectively alleviate the symptomology of a multitude of disorders
2012, researchers analyzed over 269 meta-analytic studies and found empirical evidence and
scientific support that demonstrates CBTs efficacy when used to treat substance use disorders,
psychologists Klerman, Weissman, and Paykel. IPT assumes that interpersonal distress is the
causation for psychological symptoms and works to alleviate the symptomology while utilizing
biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual models (Markowitz & Weissman, 2004). The
Interpersonal Triad, or the reasoning behind IPT, states that inadequate social support, acute
Weissman, developer of the IPT approach states, Social factors such as a patient's current
significant relationships and general social support provide the context in which the stress-
diathesis interaction occurs, and further modify the individual's ability to cope with his or her
analysis, and role-playing, IPT provides a psychotherapeutic that focuses on the relationship with
In regards to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Section
their patients of the developing nature of the treatment, the potential risk involved, alternative
treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of their participation. Although
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alleviating mental health conditions and symptoms. In a resolution passed by the APA in August
2012 titled Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness, APA and all of its members
multitude of statements:
benefits that markedly exceed those experienced by individuals who need mental health
Be It Further Resolved that APA increase its efforts to educate the public about the
effectiveness, 2012).
Although the resolution was indeed passed, this issue regarding the effectiveness of
psychotherapy has been reoccurring in the psychology scientific debates for many years. Many
sub-committees and groups associated with the American Psychological Association created
over five drafts of the resolution before it was voted in including: the Board of Educational
Affairs, Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, Board of Scientific
Affairs, Policy and Planning Board, Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice,
Lesbian, Gay, Committee for Bisexual and Transgender Concerns, Ad Hoc Committee on
The wide range of interdisciplinary groups associated with the production of the
resolution is reflective of the efficacy and potential that psychotherapy has to impact the lives of
a multitude of people. Psychotherapy does not solely benefit one population of individuals;
rather, psychotherapy has the capacity to positively impact every aspect of society and all of its
The magnitude of this decision and endorsement of psychotherapy by the APA affects
many multi-interest groups in the United States, not just the psychological community. In the
medical field, practitioners will desire to include psychotherapy services in health care billing
and insurance protocols and will include psychotherapy as an effective treatment option. More
research will be conducted on the federal level, as psychotherapy is now a qualifying criterion
for federal funding. The Department of Education regulations will adapt to include
United States education system greatly. In addition to other fields, the world of psychology will
forever be changed internally. According to the APA Council of Representatives, this resolution
elevates psychotherapy in prominence within the profession and provides further hope in
combatting mental illness. Unfortunately, in the past, there was much scrutiny regarding the
treatment of mental illnesses, but going forward, the field of psychology now has concrete ideals
and treatment plans. All psychologists will now advocate for federal policies involving
psychotherapy and continue gaining empirical support for the methods (Campbell et. al, 2013).
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There are numerous, peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the efficacy and benefits of
psychotherapy and the treatment of multiple mental illnesses. A study was conducted in 1982 in
order to examine the relationship between psychotherapy and the effectiveness of drug and
alcohol addiction relief. In the study, 742 drug and alcohol abusers were treated in six programs
that provided a combination of psychotherapeutic techniques and a follow-up was conducted six
months after the initial trials and a between-groups comparison was implemented. According to
the results, there was a statistically significant improvement in work performance, psychological
functioning, decreased alcohol and drug usage, and a decrease in criminal behavior,
demonstrating the effectiveness of psychotherapy for these clients (McClellan et al., 1982).
women who give birth suffer from postpartum depression (PPD), accounting for an estimated
600,000 women suffering from PPD yearly. Although this statistic outnumbers new cases of
tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, lupus, and
epilepsy combined, only 15% of women with PPD receive therapy or medication for their mental
illness (The statistics, 2013). Fortunately, a number of studies have provided empirical,
scientific evidence that supports psychotherapeutic treatment of PPD and the alleviation of that
symptomology.
combatting major depressive symptoms (Morgan et al., 1997). Also, in an earlier study in 1989,
psychologists Holden, Sagovsky, and Cox found that nondirective counseling, cognitive
behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy are more effective than standard primary
care in reducing depressed mood in the postpartum period, demonstrating the efficacy of
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psychotherapy in combatting PPD ailments (Clark, Tluczek, & Wenzel, 2003). Through a
multitude of scientific, clinic studies, one can easily detect the effectiveness of psychotherapy on
the treatment of mental illness in order to benefit the lives of the patients.
Psychiatry, not to be confused with psychology, is the branch of medicine focused on the
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders through the
usage of medication (What is psychiatry, 2017). Whereas psychologists treat mental illnesses
with psychotherapy and other evaluations, psychiatrists are trained physicians who focus on the
Many individuals against the practice of psychotherapy doubt the scientific evidence
supporting the efficacy of psychotherapy and are skeptical about their benefits. One critical
skeptic, Dr. Harriet Hall remarks: Amateurs get equal results. The benefits of psychotherapy
may be no better than the benefits of talking to a friend; in a sense, psychotherapists are paid to
act as friends, which could be considered a sort of prostitutionTherapy can do real harm and
can lead to suicide. It encourages dependence, false optimism, and externalized responsibility
(Hall, 2015). In reality, the therapeutic relationship between psychologist and patient is not a
sociable one, but rather a strictly professional relationship. Therefore, psychotherapists are not
viewed as friends, but rather close, professional confidants which debunks the myth that a client
Other critics claim that psychotherapy actually harms the patient and that there are no
feasible benefits of the practice. Many skeptics believe that therapy opens up emotional wounds
and may trigger an event that is more psychological damaging to the patient than before starting
psychotherapy.
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The statistics showcase the exact opposite: mental illnesses are more dangerous for the
individual if they are left untreated by any form of therapy. According to the National Alliance
on Mental Illness, approximately 90% of individuals who die by suicide have experienced
mental illness (Risk of suicide, 2017). An estimated 2-15 % of persons who have been diagnosed
with major depression, 3-20% of persons who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 6-15%
of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia die by suicide yearly. In addition to those staggering
numbers, people with personality disorders are approximately three times more likely to die by
suicide than those without personality disorders (UW School of Social Work, 2017). Therefore,
the claim that psychotherapy is more harmful than helpful is invalid due to the copious amounts
of scientific research that prove its benefits and the potential risks that untreated mental illness
According to the Monadnock Area Pastoral Counseling Service, some of the risks
regarding the patients feelings and relationships. Therapy, at times, can be a challenging process
to some individuals due to the need to confront realities and emotions, but the risks of not
receiving treatment are far greater (What is therapy and what are the potential risks and benefits,
2014). While there are still potentials harms involved with any form of therapy, the benefits of
mental illnesses in American society, many claim that medication therefore must be the best
solution. According to the an article from the American Psychological Association, Mental
health problems lead to more than 150 million visits to doctors offices, clinics and hospital
outpatient departments each year, making it one of the top three reasons why Americans seek
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medical treatment. Between 1996 and 2008, the number of prescriptions for antidepressants more
than doubled from 55.9 million to 154.7 million (Bossolo, 2012). Advocators for solely the use
of medication instead of psychotherapy or a combination of the two practices would state that the
rise of prescribed antidepressants (ADM) must correlate with the effectiveness of that particular
Collaborative Research Program found IPT, cognitive CBT, and ADM to be equally effective in
According to the American Group Psychotherapy Association, many studies support and
depression (The benefits of psychotherapy, 2017). In regards to empirical data, Dr. Katherine
Nordal, executive director of professional practice of the APA, mentions that hundreds of studies
have found that psychotherapy is an effective way to help people make positive changes in their
lives. Psychotherapy, in comparison to prescribed medication, exhibits fewer side effects and
lower instances of mental illness relapse when discontinued (Brownawell & Wiggins, 2012).
While medications may work for most patients, all treatments have limits.
In addition to high rates of relapse, ADMs exhibit a multitude of harmful side effects,
including but not limited to: nausea, increased appetite and weight gain, a loss of sexual desire,
erectile dysfunction, decreased orgasm, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia, dry mouth, blurred vision,
constipation, dizziness, agitation, irritability, and more anxiety (Allen, 2017). For these reasons,
psychotherapy can be very beneficial for the individual because it exhibits statistically lower
rates of relapse and lower risks associated with the practice (Markowitz & Weissman, 2004).
Individuals that solely pursue medication for treatment of mental illness suffer from
higher rates of relapse, proving this form of therapy to be less effective than users of
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psychotherapy (Di Mascio et al., 1979). ADM remission is defined by the near absence of
symptoms. However, patients retain a high risk of relapse and consequently, patients who have
been treated with ADM are advised to continue treatment for at least six months. In a 2008 study
conducted by the Nature Review of Neuroscience, the long-lasting effects of ADM and CBT
were tested in a series of clinical trials. According to the data collected, These findings, which
are consistent with the pattern observed in previous studies, indicate that CBT has an enduring
effect that is not found with ADM. This suggests that, whereas the acute responses to CBT and
ADM might be due to changes in similar mechanisms (consistent with the similar rates of change
of different symptom clusters resulting from the two types of treatment), CBT can be assumed to
also produce changes that ADM does not (DeRubeis, Siegle, & Hollon, 2008). Psychotherapy
allows for long-lasting, beneficial changes for the individual and exhibits less amounts of
Ultimately, psychotherapy is a practice that is endorsed and advocated for by the APA
and consequentially all psychologists. According to the Center for Disease Control, published
studies as of 2011 reported that about 25% of all adults have a mental illness and that nearly 50%
of adults will develop at least one mental illness during their lifetime in the United States (Center
for Disease Control, 2011). Therefore, the benefits demonstrated by the psychotherapy methods,
especially CBT and IPT, can alleviate the symptomology of mental illnesses for numerous
Americans. Although critics and skeptics of psychotherapy claim that psychotherapy is less
effective than the use of medications to treat mental illnesses, scientific, valid studies
demonstrate that CBT, IPT, and ADM are all equally effective in the treatment of depression
(Elkin et al., 1989). Also, in regards to ADM, psychotherapy exhibits much less side effects and
potential risks and the data demonstrates that psychotherapy treatments are sustained after
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treatment. There are numerous, peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the efficacy and benefits
of psychotherapy with the treatment of multiple mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety
disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, and others. The practice of psychotherapy is not
only supported by empirical scientific data and the APA, but it also provides an immense amount
of benefits for the patient, including extended sustainability of post-treatment benefits and less
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