Evidence-based therapy is a term that refers to forms of psychotherapy that have been studied in research trials and shown to be effective for a given concern (either in comparison to other forms of treatment or in comparison to no-treatment control groups). The most common evidence-based therapies are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and its modern derivations including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based cognitive therapies. Interpersonal therapy has also been demonstrated to be effective for depression and bulimia. Your clinician will discuss with you what approach might be recommended based on the research evidence. Because multiple forms of therapy might be proven to be effective for a given concern, you will have a chance to weigh in on what approach would feel right for you.
All of the treatments in this practice share some common elements. All of them are primarily focused on the present. Although your history and what you learned from your prior experiences will be discussed, treatment will be focused on making real change in your current life. In addition, you can expect that your treatment will be focused on your values, helping you move towards a life that feels fulfilling, meaningful, and full of vitality. Most weeks you will be asked to do something between sessions, whether that’s trying out something new, increasing mindfulness of the patterns in your life, or working on implementing a skill discussed in session. In addition, measuring outcomes on a weekly basis (usually via questionnaires or some other marker of improvement in your week-to-week life) is an important part of evidence-based treatment so that you and your clinician can be on the same page about whether the therapy is working as intended. Your feedback and collaboration is a key ingredient in helping the therapy be effective and meaningful.