Research methods for the establishment of the efficacy of psychotherapies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v21i3.54757

Keywords:

evidence-based practice, evidence-based psychology, randomized clinical trial, single- case experimental design, case study

Abstract

In 2006, the American Psychological Association defined the concept of evidence-based practice in Psychology as an individualized process of clinical decision-making that occurs through the integration of the best available evidence with clinical expertise in the context of the characteristics, culture, and preferences of the patient. However, there is little consensus in the literature about what constitutes good evidence, what methods should be employed to produce them and the way they should be applied in the practice of the clinical psychologist. As a result, this article aims to present the three methods of empirical research that are appropriate to investigate the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions (randomized clinical trial, single case experimental design and case study), highlighting the scope and limits of each of them. It is hoped that this article contributes to the formation of Brazilian clinical researchers and therefore advance a greater participation of Brazilian Psychology in the movement of evidence based practice in Psychology.

Author Biography

Jan Luiz Leonardi, Paradigma - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia do Comportamento

Jan Luiz Leonardi possui graduação em Psicologia pela PUC-SP, especialização em Terapia Analítico-Comportamental pelo Núcleo Paradigma, formação em Terapia Comportamental Dialética (DBT) pelo Behavioral Tech / The Linehan Institute, mestrado em Psicologia Experimental: Análise do Comportamento pela PUC-SP e doutorado em Psicologia Clínica pela USP. Foi vice-presidente da Associação Brasileira de Psicologia e Medicina Comportamental (ABPMC) na gestão 2015-2016, supervisor clínico de residentes em Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da USP e idealizador do Curso de Verão em Análise do Comportamento da PUC-SP. Atua como coordenador acadêmico, professor, orientador e pesquisador no Paradigma - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia do Comportamento e como terapeuta no Dialectica - Psicoterapia Baseada em Evidências

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Published

2017-12-02

How to Cite

Leonardi, J. L. (2017). Research methods for the establishment of the efficacy of psychotherapies. Interação Em Psicologia, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v21i3.54757

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Theoretical or Historical Studies

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