Vanden Bos, Gary R. (1996,

Vanden Bos, Gary R. (1996, October) Outcome assessment of psychotherapy.

American Psychologist. 51(10): 10005-1006.

American Psychologist. 51(10): 1005-1006.

"Psychotherapy, as a generic treatment process, is demonstrably more effective than no treatment" asserts Gary R. VandenBos in his article "Outcome Assessment of Psychotherapy," from American Psychologist (VandenBos 1996, p. 1005). The treatment of psychological complaints, ranging from the very severe (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) to the mild (dysthymia) to the questionably pathological (PMS) has radically shifted to a pharmacological model in recent decades. However, many individuals clearly believe that they benefit from 'talk' psychotherapeutic treatment. A 1995 Consumer Reports survey of readers reflected a largely positive views of the practice, and of the respondents, 18.64% reported seeing some kind of mental health provider, counselor, social worker, or self-help support group (VandenBos 1996, p.1006).

VandenBos uses the Consumer Reports study as a validation of earlier research which he believes indicates that psychotherapy is better than no treatment at all. However, this survey from a popular magazine is far from a ringing endorsement of talk therapy. Firstly, merely because individuals desire therapeutic treatment and view the practice as positive in nature does not necessarily mean it is effective. Their belief in psychotherapy could simply have been the result of the cultural shift that has occurred, supporting a more widespread use of psychotherapy.

Secondly, while VandenBos is dismissive of studies focusing on the effects of specific treatments upon specific types of disorders, the appropriateness of treatment important to consider in light of the fact that many psychological illnesses have a profound biological component and may be less responsive to 'talk' therapy than others mental disorders. Some complaints, such as Borderline Personality Disorder, seem to respond much better to certain types of therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, while they show little response, and may actually be negatively impacted by other types of thereby.

Much of the data cited by VandenBos comes from an earlier era in American culture and understanding of the mind, when psychoanalysis was a popular fad as well as an accepted practice, and antidepressants and other psychological medications were in a rather primitive state. For example, VandenBos cites a study from 1957 in support of psychotherapy: "Fifty percent of the adult U.S. population in 1957 could imagine conditions under which they might benefit from psychological services and might avail themselves of such services" (VandenBos 1996, p.1005). Butt simply envisioning a possible scenario is far different from actually praising the practice as personally helpful. Only 14% of adults in 1957 said they had had sought aid from a therapist -- not that such aid had eased any mental suffering. A 1976 replication study of a similar demographic population found "59% of respondents reported that they could imagine life circumstances under which they might benefit from discussing their psychological problems with someone and the percentage of respondents who reported that they had actually utilized such help at some point in their lives had almost doubled -- climbing to 26%" but again did not survey respondent's perceptions of efficacy (VandenBos 1996, p.1005).