What Exactly Do We Mean by “Evidence-Based Therapy?”

What Does “Evidence-Based” Mean?

At its core, evidence-based means that a treatment has been rigorously tested and shown to work through scientific research. In mental health, this usually involves:

• Randomised controlled trials (RCTs): Participants are assigned to a treatment or control group to see whether the therapy has measurable effects compared to no treatment or another approach.

• Meta-analyses and systematic reviews: Studies that combine results from multiple trials to understand the overall effectiveness of a therapy.

• Guidelines from professional bodies: Organisations such as the NHS, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), and the American Psychological Association recommend certain therapies based on accumulated evidence.

For example, CBT is considered evidence-based for conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD because hundreds of studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing symptoms (Beck, 2021; Hofmann et al., 2012).

Evidence-Based Does Not Mean One-Size-Fits-All

It is important to understand that evidence-based does not mean that the therapy will work perfectly for every person. Research studies report averages and every person is unique.

Factors that influence outcomes include:

• The therapist’s skill and approach

• The client’s preferences and values

• Cultural, spiritual, and relational context

• The complexity or chronicity of mental health difficulties

A therapy might be evidence-based, but if it is delivered in a way that does not resonate with the client’s worldview, identity, or personal experiences, it may not feel effective.

Different Types of Evidence

Evidence can take many forms:

• Quantitative evidence: Numbers, scores on standardised scales, and measurable symptom changes. This is what most clinical trials focus on.

• Qualitative evidence: Stories, experiences, and personal feedback from clients. This type of evidence highlights what actually feels meaningful in therapy.

• Practice-based evidence: Observations from therapists’ real-world experience, particularly when working with diverse populations.

A balanced approach recognises that all three types of evidence are valuable. While numbers and trials show that therapy can work, client experience shows that therapy does work in real life.

Evidence-Based Practice and Faith, Culture, and Identity

For many clients, evidence-based therapy may feel abstract if it does not consider faith, cultural norms, or community experiences. This is not a limitation of evidence-based therapy itself but of how it is sometimes delivered.

Integrating evidence-based approaches with spiritual and cultural awareness can include:

• Exploring how thoughts, behaviours, and emotions intersect with faith principles

• Using CBT, mindfulness, or other structured interventions alongside spiritual practices such as dhikr, prayer, or reflection

• Recognising and addressing the impacts of community, family, and social identity on mental wellbeing

Research shows that culturally adapted therapies improve engagement and outcomes. For instance, a review in Clinical Psychology Review (Griner & Smith, 2006) found that culturally adapted interventions can be up to 51% more effective for minority clients than standard treatments.

Common Misconceptions About Evidence-Based Therapy

• Misconception 1: Evidence-based means medicalised or cold. Evidence-based therapies include approaches that emphasise empathy, connection, and emotional processing these human elements are often what make therapy effective.

• Misconception 2: Evidence-based therapy ignores spirituality or values. Many evidence-based interventions can and do integrate clients’ beliefs and cultural context, improving relevance and outcomes.

• Misconception 3: Evidence-based therapy is only CBT. While CBT is widely studied, other approaches such as EMDR, interpersonal therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapies also have strong evidence bases for specific conditions.

How to Ensure Your Therapy Is Evidence-Based and Person-Centred

1. Ask about research: A good therapist can explain what evidence supports the approach they use.

2. Consider outcomes: Ask how progress will be measured and reviewed.

3. Check for flexibility: Evidence-based therapy is most effective when adapted to your cultural, spiritual, and personal needs.

4. Look at credentials: Professional bodies such as BACP or UKCP verify that therapists are trained in recognised, evidence-based approaches.

If you're curious about how evidence-based therapy can be tailored to your faith, culture, and personal values, I’d be honoured to support you. I offer a therapeutic space that is grounded in research while remaining deeply compassionate, culturally aware, and attuned to your lived experience.