[Psychotherapeutic activity as a realization of therapeutic heuristics. A process comparison of 3 therapy forms from...

A new research perspective for analyzing the psychotherapeutic process is discussed. Instead of the usual method-oriented thinking, a heuristic understanding of psychotherapy is presented that focuses on the goals of therapeutic activity. The instrument developed for this purpose, the Heuristic Rating Scales, is described. Using data from a comparative treatment study, the suitability of these rating scales for analyzing therapeutic activity is tested statistically. Finally, the three therapy forms examined are described in terms of the realization in terms of the realization of therapeutic goals (heuristics) and compared with each other.