Rhetoric and irrelevant criteria that disguise behavior therapy efficacy: historical and contemporary notes

Significant developments in psychotherapy research have resulted in the demonstrated superiority of some behavioral interventions over more traditional ones. However, the rhetoric contained in summary statements on psychotherapy efficacy has hidden this progress. This includes inconsistencies in the psychotherapy category, irrelevant criteria for judging efficacy and the drama of scientific advancements. For scientific, practical and ethical reasons, it behooves members of the professional community to recognize and to refute this rhetoric.