The credibility of psychodynamic, cognitive and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in a randomly selected sample of the general public.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the credibility of psychodynamic, cognitive and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in the general population.


METHODS
A random sample (N = 121) of individuals from the county of Ostergötland in Sweden between 20 and 60 years of age rated written descriptions of the three forms of psychotherapy.


RESULTS
A clear majority of respondents rated cognitive and cognitive-behavioural therapies as more credible than psychodynamic therapy, although the latter was rated as the most credible form of psychotherapy among those who had previous experience of treatment for psychological distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Each form of psychotherapy appears to have its own 'market segment' with a high degree of credibility to those within that segment.
Bragesjö
Maria
M
Department of Behavioural Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Clinton
David
D
Sandell
Rolf
R
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011639:Public Opinion