Evidencede rigueur:The shape of evidence in psychological therapies and the modern practitioner as teleoanalyst

Abstract

During early 2007, the idea for a conference on the psychological therapies began to emerge led by Jeremy Clarke with Michael Barkham and Phil Richardson acting as scientific advisors. Over the course of much of 2007 our plans took shape via multiple three-way phone conversations between London, France and Sheffield, designing the Savoy Conference and compiling a submission to NICE arguing for a change to the restrictive form of evidence underpinning guidance. Each of us was committed to evidence-based practice, but equally clear a more inclusive dialogue was needed to address complexities of scientific methodology in psychological therapies, including use of findings from practice-based evidence. The inaugural Savoy Conference was held on 30 November and 1 December 2007. Phil was too ill to attend but delighted by our success in generating the dialogue and debate we had aimed for. He passed away 3 days later. What follows is our view on what is required to build and develop an inclusive knowledge-base in the psychological therapies, so that scientific discussion, as well as improved clinical practice, and better policy-making can move forwards. We feel these views would have resonated with Phil Richardson.