The Exploration of a more ‘Objective’ Quantitative Approach to the Relation between Technique and Outcome

Abstract

Although the hypotheses presented in the preceding chapter may be felt to be quite convincing, and in a sense are based on published evidence, they depend entirely on the acceptance of very highly condensed summaries—themselves based on the therapists’ own summaries—as an accurate reflection of what ‘really’ happened in these therapies. It must of course be remembered that I was able to draw not only on the clinical records, but also on the very vivid impression (for those cases not treated by myself) which can be given of the therapeutic process in a living discussion with the therapist, and on transcripts of the discussions taken down in shorthand at the time. Nevertheless, this double process of selection must be regarded as highly unsatisfactory.