EMPIRICALLY VALIDATED PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT - WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN THE DOMAIN OF RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS

The concept of empirically validated treatments is an attempt to focus psychological training and practice on treatments that work. In this paper, I examine the complexities of defining the concept with referen ce to the treatment of relationship problems. The key criterion employ ed to define a treatment as empirically validated is established effic acy within controlled trials. I suggest that the criteria need to be e xpanded to include assessment of the variability, clinical significanc e, and durability of treatment effects, the relative efficacy of alter native approaches, and the ease of dissemination of treatments. Whilst few, if any, psychological treatments currently have data on whether they meet all these criteria, I suggest that setting these more ambiti ous criteria will direct us towards the ultimate goal of offering bett er psychological treatments.