In this article we focus on scientific research in client-centered therapy. The use and supremacy of the Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) in psychotherapy research has not gone unchallenged in literature, mainly because of its scientific and political implications. We briefly summarize the main arguments against the exclusive use of RCT’s, and discuss some alternative methods that may stand up to the RCT in providing evidence. A more radical solution might be to entirely skip the RCT when researching humanistic approaches to psychotherapy. However, a better strategy will consist of structurally (re)integrating outcome with change process research; this may expand and enhance scientific knowledge about the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatments. Finally, we speculate on an international and standardized research project, inspired on LOFAR, that would be well suited to the integrative approach we advance in this paper.
psychotherapy research, RCT, outcome research, change process research
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.
