Inaugural lecture by Professor Stig Poulsen

Stig Poulsen

What paradigm works for whom?: A pluralistic approach to psychotherapy research

On 1st December 2020, Stig Poulsen was appointed Professor in Psychotherapy at the Department of Psychology. 

The Department invites you to his inaugural lecture entitled 'What paradigm works for whom?: A pluralistic approach to psychotherapy research'.

Date: 28th January 2022 at 2:30 pm. 

Venue: The Faculty Library, Auditorium 1, Gothersgade 140, 1123 Copenhagen K.

The inaugural lecture will also be available on Zoom. Click here to participate. Passcode: 680994. 

After the inaugural lecture, there will be a reception in the canteen at the Department of Psychology. All are welcome.

Please notice that it is no longer possible to sign up for the inaugural lecture and reception.

Abstract

As any other scientific discipline, psychotherapy research is characterized by several major research approaches, defined by specific types of research questions and designs. Often these approaches have been seen as antagonistic, with adherents of each paradigm aiming to prove the superiority of their particular approach. Based on research experience from several lines of psychotherapy research, I will argue that all main research paradigms of psychotherapy research have unique advantages and deficits and that the subject of psychotherapy in all its complexity calls for a pluralistic approach to research, utilizing multiple research methods and designs. Accordingly, I will present results from research within the “evidence-based psychotherapy”, the “common factors” and the “personalized psychotherapy” approaches, leading up to my current interest in deliberate practice and training of psychotherapists.