Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) in perspective: Implications for counseling psychology training

There is a strong movement toward employing only evidence-based treatments or empirically validated treatments (EVTs) in delivering psychological serv ices. This movement is affecting professional practice, research, and train ing now and will continue to be influential far into the future. Efficaciou s treatments attempt to respond successfully to three prominent realms chal lenging psychology's professional integrity: practicing psychologists' appl ications, scientific certainty, and marketplace demands. In addition, train ing efficacy and adherence to ethical principles must be considered regardi ng adopting EVTs. Although the successful blending of these domains holds f orth great potential for enriching training and practice, consolidating the se areas may obscure elements essential to each pursuit. This article revie ws both the merits and concerns the EVT movement holds forth for the counse ling psychology profession. Recommendations are offered for integrating EVT knowledge into coursework and practical training.