El Estado de la Ciencia de la Psicoterapia en Puerto Rico

Authors

  • José Pons Madera Ponce Health Sciences University

Keywords:

Psychotherapy, curative factors, systematic review, Cochrane, culture

Abstract

This is a reflection on the article “The state of the science of psychotherapy in Puerto Rico: A cup half empty or half filled?” I point out that this article is based on the discourse of Evidence Based Therapies (EBT). I contextualize its analysis, conclusions and suggestions within the scope of its discourse. I summarize several of the criticisms that have been made of EBT’s within our discipline. I particularly question the rhetoric that accompanies the use of clinical trials, point out its limitations, hegemonic pretentions and applicability to psychotherapeutic practice. As an alternative approach for evaluating the effectiveness of psychotherapy, I suggest that psychotherapist and client be thought of as co-researchers and co-evaluators and propose a methodological pluralism as a research stance that promotes the use of multiple methodological options to evaluate and generate evidence that emerges from the contexts in which therapy is practiced in Puerto Rico.

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Published

2015-09-01