How to Define Psychological Therapy and Psychotherapy? – An Interdisciplinary Proposal

Authors

  • Winfried Rief Orcid
    Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
  • Julia Asbrand Orcid
    Clinical Psychology in Childhood and Adolescence, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
  • Luisa Baumgärtner Orcid
    Wilhelm Wundt Institute of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Ulrike Dinger Orcid
    Clinical Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • Christoph Flückiger Orcid
    Clinical Psychology II, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
  • Nina Heinrichs Orcid
    Clinical Psychology in Children and Adolescents, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
  • Sabine C. Herpertz Orcid
    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Site Mannheim/Heidelberg/Ulm, Germany
  • Tania Lincoln Orcid
    Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Silke Lipinski Orcid
    Trialogical Board of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Berlin-Potsdam Site, Germany; Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Wolfgang Lutz Orcid
    Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Bernhard Strauss Orcid
    Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
  • Svenja Taubner Orcid
    Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • Oliver Vorthmann
    Trialogical Board of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Berlin-Potsdam Site, Germany; DepressionsLiga, Berlin, Germany
  • Jan Philipp Klein Orcid
    Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

Abstract

Background: The definition of psychological treatments and psychotherapy has various implications for communication within research and clinical care, as well as for legal issues — particularly in countries with psychotherapy acts. It can define what should be covered by public healthcare systems and who should be permitted to provide these services. Method: We assembled a group of psychotherapists in Germany to develop an inclusive, scientific definition of psychotherapy. This definition should serve as an umbrella that is not limited to traditional treatment schools and is suitable for science, clinical care and legal acts. The group comprised people with different therapeutic backgrounds (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic and systemic therapy), experts from various disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine), people focusing on different age groups (e.g., adults and youth), individuals with lived experience of psychotherapy and early career clinicians. Results: A literature review led us to consider four aspects of a definition. What are the treatment means or 'tools'? (modality of treatment); how does the treatment work? (Proposed change mechanisms, assumptions about causal and evidence-based processes and concepts); who receives psychotherapy? (target group); and who provides psychotherapy? (Provider). Based on these aspects, we offer a definition of psychological therapy. Discussion: Our suggested definition is not bound to specific treatment orientations, but is intended to encompass both traditional approaches and innovative developments. Our aim is to promote the evidence-based provision of psychological therapy within healthcare systems and legal frameworks.

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