title: Psychotherapy: theory, experience, and personalized actuarial tables.
abstract: This paper addresses the issue of the role of theory in the actual application of psychotherapeutic operations. Within the present framework, psychotherapeutic effectiveness is seen as an empirical, actuarial process which occurs in an interpersonal setting separate from theoretical considerations. The role of theory is discussed and a rationale for the coexistence of equally 'effective' contradictory theories is presented. Suggestions for future research in the area of behaviour change are made and an argument for the eventual development of a 'therapeutic cookbook' is presented.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D012106:Research