IS THIS THE STATE-OF-THE-ART - CHANGING P ERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

In the context of the current discussion of the volume by Grawe, Donat i and Bernauer ''Psychotherapie im Wandel; Von der Konfession zur Prof ession'' (1994) the main critical points are reviewed regarding essent ual-theoretical issues. The crucial points of the resulting criticism refer to the fact that metastudies are historical and culture bound, t o etiological validity as well as to ethical-political implications. O ne main statement designates the investigation by Grawe et al. as a co nventional review that bases its conclusions on outcome-studies of psy chotherapy that are to be considered out-dated. Whether it is possible to decide which therapy is most effective is as doubtful as the neces sity to contrast therapeutic orientations by discriminating valuation. The results of Grawe's therapy-outcome-analysis are put into a histor ical and cultural context. Thereby the findings are put into relation to particular periods and speech areas from which the included studies originate. In this context Grawe's volume appears not to be the Ultim a ratio but is fruitful to initiate further research.