Aims: The American Psychological Ass ociation’s Division of Psychotherapy commissioned a Task Force to identify, operationalize, and disseminate information on evidence-based therapy relationships. The objective was to identify empirically supported (therapy) relationships rather than empirically supported treatments – or ESRs rather than ESTs.
The dual aims of the Division 29 Task Force on Empirically Supported
Therapy Relationships were to:
(1) Identify elements of effective therapy relationship
s.
(2) Identify effective methods of customizing or tailoring therapy to
the individual
patient.
Task Force Members: Steven J. Ackerman (student member), Lorna S. Benjamin, Ph.D., Larry E. Beutler, Ph.D., Marvin R. Goldfried, Ph.D. (liaison to Research Committee), Charles J. Gelso, Ph.D., Clara E. Hill, Ph.D., Michael J. Lambert, Ph.D., John C. Norcross, Ph.D. (chair), David Orlinsky, Ph.D., and Jackson Rainer, Ph.D. (liaison to Publication Board).
Products: The Division 29 Task Force on Empirically Supported Therapy Relationships generated three products. First, we published a synopsis of our work in a 2001 special issue of Psychotherapy, which contains a summary of our findings and conclusions. Second, the entire research reviews, detailed therapeutic practices, and Task Force recommendations were published in an Oxford University Press book, Psychotherapy Relationships that Work. Third, members of the Task Force are presen ting a series of addresses, workshops, and symposia on its conclusions and recommendations.
Publications:
Norcross, J.C. (Ed.). (2001). Empirically supported therapy
relationships: Summary Report of the Division 29 Task Force. Psychotherapy,
38(4).
Norcross, J.C. (Ed.). (2002). Psychotherapy relationships that work: Therapist contributions and responsiveness to patient needs. New York: Oxford University Press.
Conclusi ons and Recommendations: The Conclusions & Recommendations of the Task Force on Empirically Supported Therapy Relationships are attached as a Word document.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs and answers are also attached as a Word file.