[The myth of progress: are twice-weekly sessions of psychotherapy better than once-weekly?]

Abstract

In this article, the author comments on the research publication 'The effects of once-versus twice-weekly sessions on psychotherapy outcomes in depressed patients'. From a researcher's point of view, it is an excellent article, however, the presentation of the recommendations is more definite than seems appropriate to the results found. This, according to the author, can be seen in the light of perpetuating a 'myth of progress' in the field of psychotherapy. Because this myth has negative effects on clients and therapists, as the exaggerated expectations lead to disappointment and failure, the author calls on researchers to be cautious about making recommendations until findings have been replicated several times.