The trend toward evidence-based practice and the future of psychotherapy

Abstract

This paper describes how the trend toward emphasizing evidence-based practice and empirically supported treatments is likely to affect the practice of counseling and psychotherapy in the future. Several specific predictions are described and discussed, particularly those of Nicholas Cummings. Predictions include that evidence-based practice and general psychotherapy will diverge; eventually only evidence-based practice will be reimbursed and covered by liability insurance; and psychotherapy will become briefer and more integrated into the healthcare system.