Some fallacies of statistical inferences about psychotherapy

Abstract

Statistical methodology does not provide an effective, impartial, or objective way to determine the validity of theories of psychotherapy. Furthermore, the correlations revealed by statistical studies of psychotherapy are clinically irrelevant. Nevertheless there is a growing trend to recognise only statistically "proven" techniques of psychotherapy as legitimate medical treatment. The replacement of established medical standards for psychotherapy with this bogus new scientism is likely to lead to iniquitous clinical and administrative restrictions upon psychotherapists which will cause unnecessary suffering to patients.