Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Psychological treatments.

David H Barlow¹

¹Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders.

The American Psychologist

|December 9, 2004

Summary

Psychology is now a health care profession, with interventions proven effective for inclusion in global health systems. A new term, "psychological treatments," is proposed to distinguish these evidence-based health services from general psychotherapy.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Cognitive Reappraisal as a Potential Mechanism of Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders.

Behavior therapy·2025

Same author

Hope predicts long-term well-being following cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders.

Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research·2025

Same author

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders compared with diagnosis-specific protocols for anxiety disorders: A three-year follow-up.

Journal of mood and anxiety disorders·2025

Same author

State of the Science: The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders.

Behavior therapy·2024

Same author

Results from a randomized controlled trial of zonisamide in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Journal of psychiatric research·2024

Same author

Effects of a Contextual Adaptation of the Unified Protocol in Multiple Emotional Disorders in Individuals Exposed to Armed Conflict in Colombia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA psychiatry·2023

Area of Science:

Health Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Healthcare Policy

Background:

Psychology has formally recognized itself as a health care profession.
Psychologists contribute to national health and mental health through various interventions.
Evidence supports the efficacy of psychological interventions for inclusion in global healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a terminology change to better reflect psychology's role in healthcare.
To differentiate evidence-based psychological interventions within healthcare systems from general psychotherapy.
To solidify psychology's identity as a distinct health care profession.

Main Methods:

Literature review on the evolution of psychology as a health profession.
Analysis of current healthcare policy regarding psychological interventions.
Conceptual analysis of terminology used in psychological practice.

Main Results:

Psychological interventions are increasingly recognized and integrated into healthcare systems globally.
A distinction is needed between interventions for healthcare systems and broader psychotherapy.
The term "psychological treatments" is proposed for interventions used within healthcare.

Conclusions:

Adopting "psychological treatments" will enhance the dissemination of evidence-based interventions.
This terminology change supports psychology's established identity as a health care profession.
Clearer language can improve patient access to and understanding of psychological healthcare services.

Related Experiment Videos