Measurement and psychotherapy

Background Measurement is the foundation of evidence-based practice. Advances in measurement procedures should extend to psychotherapy practice. Aims To review the developments in measurement relevant to psychotherapy. Method Domains reviewed are: (a) interventions; (b) case formulation; (c) treatment integrity; (d) performance (including adherence, competence and skilfulness); (e) treatment definitions; (f) therapeutic alliance; and (g) routine outcome measurement. Results Modern methods of measurement can support ‘evidence-based practice’ for psychological treatments. They also support ‘practice-based evidence’, a complementary paradigm to improve clinical effectiveness in routine practice via the infrastructure of Practice Research Networks (PRNs). Conclusions Advances in measurement derived from psychotherapy research support a model of professional self-management (practice-based evidence) which is widely applicable in psychiatry and medicine.