Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) in perspective: Implications for counseling psychology training

There is a strong movement toward employing only evidence-based treatments or empirically validated treatments (EVTs) in delivering psychological services. This movement is affecting professional practice, research, and training now and will continue to be influential far into the future. Efficacious treatments attempt to respond successfully to three prominent realms challenging psychology's professional integrity: practicing psychologists' applications, scientific certainty, and marketplace demands. In addition, training efficacy and adherence to ethical principles must be considered regarding adopting EVTs. Although the successful blending of these domains holds forth great potential for enriching training and practice, consolidating these areas may obscure elements essential to each pursuit. This article reviews both the merits and concerns the EVT movement holds forth for the counseling psychology profession. Recommendations are offered for integrating EVT knowledge into coursework and practical training.