Psychotherapy research - current evidence and directions 2500-PL-PS-FO-48

"The purpose of the course is to provide students with advanced, in-depth
knowledge about the paradigmatic assumptions, methodology, and up-to-
date evidence of research on psychotherapy effectiveness. Going beyond
mere authoritative statements that psychotherapy is effective and that
this is proven by large meta-analyses, the lectures will examine the
purpose and the scientific and social meaning of providing evidence for the
effectiveness of psychotherapy, and in-depth consideration of what is
meant by effectiveness in this context, and a close analysis of the various
methodological solutions utilized when researching psychotherapy.
Attention will also be paid to interpreting the results of meta-analytic
studies. Areas where evidence is established as well as those where studies
have only begun emerging recently will be highlighted in order to stimulate
critical thinking and promote the principles of evidence-based practice.
The overarching aim of the course will thus be to familiarize students with
the need to base psychotherapeutic understanding and practice on a
sound empirical basis.

The lectures will systematically cover inter-related topics, from basic
assumptions behind the empirical, measurement-based approach to
psychotherapy, through the methodology of RCT studies and meta-
analyses, to consideration of general and relative psychotherapy
effectiveness and a review of contemporary studies on topics which
remain contentious in the current public debate, such as the effectiveness
of manualized therapy or therapy delivered online. The lectures will be
accompanied by specialized reading material."