CULTURE-FREE EVALUATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

The author discusses arguments in favour of the necessity and utility of empirical evaluation research in the domain of psychotherapy. He proposes acceptable criteria in four different reference systems: that of patients! that of therapists, a scientific reference system and, fourthly, culture as an important Influencing factor Especially the scientific reference system needs highly developed and elaborated research designs which base on the criteria of objectivity, validity and reliability These considerations are confronted with the fact that psychotherapy is always a response to psychic problems in a cultural context. Criteria of improvement are dependent on cultural conditions. In the opinion of the author, the global aim of efficiency, which is at the moment largely adopted in western societies, means best improvement with fewest time investment. The cultural relativity of this goal will be discussed and exemplified.