Clinical practice and scientific psychology: Can this marriage be saved?

Discusses the relationship of scientific psychology to the practice of psychotherapy. The use of research to change psychotherapy techniques is examined in each of 3 major orientations of psychodynamic, experiential, and behavioral psychotherapy. Common factors that may be responsible for the success of all therapies are described, and the controversy between those who see psychotherapy as a cultural ritual and those who see it as a scientifically-based procedure is reviewed. The consequences of a split between researcher and clinician roles in clinical psychology are predicted. It is concluded that scientific psychology and psychotherapy can together contribute meaningfully to society and a divorce would not be in the best interest of either discipline. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).