The Synergistic but Troubled Relationship Between Psychotherapy Science and Practice: Moving Forward

Abstract

How to foster the integration of science (especially empirical research) and practice has been a vexing problem since the beginnings of counseling psychology and other applied fields. We propose that the basis for this problem is the very different, even contradictory, demands of empirical research and practice, and the resulting ways of being research scientists and practitioners. Focusing on psychotherapy, we posit seven such demands/pulls and ways of being and seven tactics for strengthening integration. Clinically relevant research on the therapeutic relationship and therapist skills/interventions conducted at the Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab is summarized. We emphasize that for science and practice to be mutually facilitative, the field will need to pay close and ongoing attention to ways of strengthening integration.