The dissemination of empirically supported treatments: a view to the future

An ideological and scientific struggle spanning decades has borne fruit with the development and documentation of psychological interventions for a variety of disorders and problems with proven efficacy. Termed variously 'empirically supported treatments' or 'evidence-based psychological practice' highly regarded scientific methods have established these interventions as effective as, and often more effective than, pharmacological treatments, particularly in the long run. In some cases, combined efficacious psychological and pharmacological treatments are most effective. Despite these developments, evidence exists that these psychological treatments are not readily available to the public who requires them, because they have not been effectively disseminated to the mental health professionals who deliver them. The variety of barriers to successful dissemination are outlined, and recent developments in clinical research and public health policy are described that may facilitate the advancement of evidence-based psychological practice. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.