Epistemology and psychotherapy data: The unspeakable, unbearable, horrible truth.

Abstract

Recent discussions of the scientist/practitioner schism in clinical psychology have begun to take note of the epistemology of practice. This article focuses on the far-reaching implications of a very specific aspect of psychotherapy practice—the uncovering of concealed clinical phenomena. These phenomena are both ubiquitous and inaccessible to conventional research methods, leaving the profession in an epistemological dilemma. Using the extensive philosophical analysis of the nature of testimony by the Australian philosopher C. A. J. Coady, It is shown that such anecdotal data are not necessarily invalid (as is often asserted) and may be legitimately used in constructing the knowledge base for the profession of clinical psychology. At the same time, this analysis points the way to new forms of research collaboration between researchers and clinicians in psychology.