Treatment goals and strategies of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapists: A naturalistic investigation

The therapeutic goals and strategies of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic practitioners were investigated. Fifteen therapists in each group responded to four case vignettes, all of which contained clear evidence of an Axis I disorder, but only two of which noted explicitly the presence of interpersonal difficulties. There were no between-group differences in commitment to resolving the presenting Axis I disorder, and both groups were equally committed to the use of behavioral strategies. Psychodynamic therapists indicated significantly greater interest in pursuing nonsymptomatic goals and exploratory strategies across all vignettes. Cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapists were equally committed to the resolution of interpersonal problems when they were clearly defined in the vignettes, but the latter group was significantly more likely to endorse goals involving interpersonal change in the vignettes without evidence of explicit interpersonal difficulties.