Psychotherapies as social phenomena

The history of psychological therapies shows a general consistent pattern, a natural history of psychotherapy, where proponents argue for a new approach on the basis of limited evidence, others are pursuaded by them and they develop a small clique, who then offer training and by this means develop further adherents. At this point they are criticised for the lack of evidence etc and close ranks and can develop some of the psychological features of a cult.

Possible social mechanisms
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Papers

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