Evidence-Based Therapy

What is Evidence-Based Therapy?

And Why Should I Care or Confirm it’s What My Therapist is Doing?

“Evidence-based” is one of those terms that is all over the medical sphere but can sound ill-defined and unclear to anyone who is not involved in this stuff every day.

It is an important term to know and understand, however, because it has a direct impact on the health care you get. This includes mental health care. Here we will break down what evidence-based practice is and how you can advocate and confirm this is what you are getting in all aspects of your health care.

What is Evidence-Based Practice in Counseling?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is any therapy that has been demonstrated to be effective in treating identified mental illnesses through peer-reviewed scientific research. 

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines EBP has “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.”

The American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Code of Ethics also requires licensed counselors limit themselves to EBP and “do not use techniques/procedures/modalities when substantial evidence suggests harm, even if such services are requested.”

So, What’s Peer-Reviewed Mean?

“Peer-reviewed” has the same definition no matter what science is being studied whether its biology, psychology, or physics. The United States Geological Survey provides an excellent definition: 

“A peer-reviewed publication is also sometimes referred to as a scholarly publication. The peer-review process subjects an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field (peers) and is considered necessary to ensure academic scientific quality.”

Put another way – if you remember how scrutinizing and judgmental your middle school peers where it is sort of like that just with more at stake. The short version is EBP is the end result of a grueling and frequently lengthy process involving many, many experts and field professionals.

The University of Washington has a quick guide on how to assess if something is peer-reviewed.

When Did Evidence-Based Practice Appear in Mental Health?

“Evidence-based treatment” as a phrase became popular in the 1990s as a result of the scientific method gaining more value within the mental health field. Previously mental health had relied more on subjective reports of treatment effectiveness both therapists and other mental health professionals began pushing in earnest for rigorous studies that could determine the effectiveness of treatments and how best to implement them.

This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the effectiveness of mental health therapy. As TheraNest.com observes “We’re no longer relying on guesswork.” 

This also means new methods are discovered and established evidence-based therapies improved and expanded on safely without doing harm to the clients. This accountability is one of the largest benefits of EBP. It ensures clients only undergo treatments that have been proven to be both safe and effective for their presenting issue. 

If It Isn’t Evidence-Based Does that Mean Counseling Doesn’t Work?

It doesn’t automatically mean counseling won’t work, but it does mean there are additional questions to ask. You may ask your therapist:

1. Has this method undergone peer-reviewed research? What was the result?

2. Why is it not considered evidence-based or validated?

3. Is this method currently being researched? By whom?

If your mental health provider is vague with any of these questions that is a sign something it not on the up and up. It is true that in order for any treatment method to become evidence-based the evidence has to be gathered. That requires research. Polyvagal theory, for example, is a relatively new method and thus supporting evidence is currently limited.

That being said, if you are being given an experimental treatment your provider is required to tell you this and give you the option to opt out in favor of a proven, evidence-based method. Anything less is illegal. 

Is a Therapy Evidence Based if it’s Part of a Clinical Trial?

It is also unlikely a solo therapist or member of a small group practice would be participating in such research, called clinical trials. This is because research must be carefully controlled and monitored in order to be valid and useable. It is difficult to do so when the therapists involved in the study are not part of your research institution.

The National Institute of Mental Health provides further information on what mental health clinical trials are, why they are important, and how a person can sign up to participate in a clinical trial.

Please Note: If your therapist is using a method that is currently in the process of being fully validated as evidence-based you are within your rights to tell your therapist you only want to use fully validated methods. If your therapist refuses get a different therapist.

How Do I Find Out if A Therapy is Evidence-Based?

Thankfully we have the internet to help us answer this question. A quick search of “Is X evidence-based?” will get you the answer you need. 

For example, “Is primal therapy evidence based” produces a top result with the following answer drawn from Wikipedia with its own list of supporting citations (citations 39-38, specifically):

“Primal therapy has not achieved broad acceptance in mainstream psychology. It has been frequently criticized as lacking outcome studies to substantiate its effectiveness. It is regarded as one of the least creditable forms of psychotherapy and has been classified in a 2006 APA Delphi poll as ‘discredited.’”

Or this video from Dr. Todd Grande that says, in brief “No.” Primal therapy is not evidence-based.

Primal therapy is one of those methods that has been researched and found to be ineffective. Polyvagal theory, as mentioned above, on the other hand is in the process of being determined effective or not.

Common Evidence Based Therapies

If you would like some additional scholarly information on Complementary and Alternative Healthcare and Medical Practices (CAM), a subject of frequent debate, try this article here.

If you are looking for a short list, however, here are some of the most common evidence-based therapies that you will encounter in mental health, though these are by no means the limit of EBP in mental health:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Training (DBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Narrative Therapy

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Evidence Based Therapy & Mental Health Services in Chicago, IL

Here at Obsidian, our therapists love what we do and we always do our best to give you the best we possibly can. Therefore, at our Chicago, IL, area therapy practice, we offer evidence based mental health services for anxiety, depression, parents, work stress,trauma and PTSD, and more. Additionally, we offer yoga therapy, which can also be done using online sessions. Lastly, it’s also important to note that our therapists are LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Begin Evidence Based Therapy with a Skilled Therapist

So, if you are ready to begin therapy and looking for a therapist who can use truly evidence based practice in counseling sessions, we can help. Please, take the steps below to get started with in person or online therapy sessions.

1. Fill out a contact form or by calling our counseling practice at (224) 255-4411.

2. Begin therapy sessions with a skilled trauma therapist.

3. Start overcoming past experiences and creating a life you desire.

You deserve to find true healing. Going to therapy is never easy, but it absolutely can help and you working with a therapist using evidence based practice gives you the best possible route to feeling better. So, don’t stay stuck where you are right now. Reach out for support. Our therapists are here to help.