Changing trends in three decades of psychotherapy research: The flight from theory into pragmatics.

This article reviews 252 empirical studies of psychotherapy published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in the years 1967/1968, 1977/1978, and 1987/1988. Articles were rated on variables related to theoretical relevance, clinical validity and methodology. It is shown that the main trend over this period of time has been a decline in theory-guided and a rise in pragmatic, clinically oriented research. Related changes in specific norms and practices in this area are illustrated. The disadvantages of a purely empirical approach to psychotherapy research are discussed, and recommendations are made in light of the distinction between the different aims of pragmatic and theoretical research.