EMPIRICALLY VALIDATED INTERVENTIONS FOR ADULT DISORDERS

The movement towards evidence-based practice in psychology and medicin e should offer few problems in cognitive-behaviour therapies because i t is consistent with the principles by which they have been developed and disseminated. However, the criteria for assessing empirical status , including the heavy emphasis on manualised treatments, need close ex amination. A possible outcome of the evidence-based movement would be to focus on the application of manualised treatments in both training and clinical practice; problems with that approach are discussed. If w e are committed to evidence-based treatment, comparisons between psych ological and pharmacological interventions should also be included so that rational health care decisions can be made. We should not be afra id of following the evidence, even when it supports treatments that ar e not cognitive-behavioural in stated orientation. Such results should be taken as an opportunity for theoretical development and new empiri cal inquiry rather than be a cause for concern.