EMPIRICALLY SUPPORTED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR ADULT MENTAL-DISORDERS

The experimental literature on individual and group psychological trea tments for adult disorders is reviewed. For each of the 11 disorders o r problems covered, treatments that fall into the following categories , as defined by D. L. Chambless and S. D. Hollon (1998), are identifie d: efficacious and specific, efficacious, and possibly efficacious. Be havioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments dominate the lists, espec ially in the anxiety disorders, with notable exceptions. Reasons for t he hegemony of the behavioral and cognitive modalities are discussed, and some limitations of the empirically supported treatment concept ar e addressed. Continued research is recommended on Aptitude x Treatment interactions, cost-benefit ratios, and generalization of treatments t o a variety of patient populations, therapists, and treatment settings .