Is Understanding Why Necessary for Treatment Choices?

Abstract

Models of the psychodiagnostic process prescribe that clinicians should analyze explanations for their clients’ problems and subsequently use this information to decide upon the most appropriate treatment plan. However, studies of clinical practice suggest that the role of explanations is minimal, and that considering only symptoms gives clinicians enough information to plan treatment. In this experimental study we tested whether different explanations for the same problem are related to different treatment plans. Analyses of the responses given by 151 psychologists for cases of anorexia and conduct disorder in which the explanations were manipulated, suggest that explanations matter. Different explanations for the same constellation of symptoms were related to different treatment plans. This implies that clinical psychologists do not propose a treatment based on symptoms only. Implications of our findings are discussed.