This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (101)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Historical Review

David H. Malan, DM

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1973;29(6):719-729.

Abstract
This paper is an attempt to summarize aspects of the history of psychotherapy research, with special reference to dynamic psychotherapy, during the past 20 years. A prominent feature has been the inability to demonstrate that psychotherapy is effective; another has been the lack of impact of research on clinical practice.

I do not share the resulting state of disillusion and despair. A thorough examination of the literature suggests that evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy, and even of dynamic psychotherapy, is stronger than is generally supposed.

Recent studies, based on outcome criteria that do justice to the complexity of psychodynamic change, have begun to heal the split between research and practice and offer renewed hope for the future.

Author Affiliations
London

From the Adult Department, Tavistock Clinic, Tavistock Centre, Belsize Lane, London.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 5, 1973.

Reprint requests to Tavistock Clinic, Belsize Lane, London, NW 3, England (Dr. Malan).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Repertory Grid Technique as a Group Psychotherapy Research Instrument
Winter
Group Analysis 1992;25:449-462.
ABSTRACT  

The Long-termi Effects of Group Psychotherapy:A Thirteen-year Follow-up Study
Sigrell
Group Analysis 1992;25:333-352.
ABSTRACT  

Theoretical Issues in Clinical Social Group Work
Randall and Wodarski
Small Group Research 1989;20:475-499.
ABSTRACT  

A Comparative Outcome Study of Individual, Group, and Conjoint Psychotherapy
Pilkonis et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1984;41:431-437.
ABSTRACT  

Judging Change in Psychotherapy: Reliability of Clinical Formulations
DeWitt et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1983;40:1121-1128.
ABSTRACT  

The Goals of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
McGlashan and Miller
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1982;39:377-388.
ABSTRACT  

Exposure Treatments for Focal Phobias: A Review
Linden
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981;38:769-775.
ABSTRACT  

Measuring Outcome in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Psychodynamic vs Symptomatic Assessment
Mintz
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981;38:503-506.
ABSTRACT  

The Effectiveness of Family Therapy: A Review of Outcome Research
DeWitt
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1978;35:549-561.
ABSTRACT  

Comparative Studies of Psychotherapies: Is It True That "Everyone Has Won and All Must Have Prizes"?
Luborsky et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1975;32:995-1008.
ABSTRACT