Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Practice-based evidence refers to research findings derived from clinical routine. As a complementary paradigm to randomized clinical trials, this evidence is collected through practice-oriented research with the aim of understanding and improving the access to, implementation, and impact of psychological therapies as they are conducted in day-to-day practice. Among the key issues investigated are the effectiveness of treatment (e.g., reliable and clinically significant change, deterioration, dropout), routine outcome monitoring and clinical feedback (i.e., patient-focused research), variables related to the client (e.g., cultural diversity, suicidality) and the practitioner (e.g., emotional burden, empathic accuracy). Also examined are therapist effects, mechanisms of change and therapeutic processes (e.g., emotional experience, alliance, techniques, helpful and hindering events), and the context within which treatment takes place (e.g., center effects, neighborhood effects). Also noteworthy is that practice-based evidence is at times collected within active collaboration of academicians, clinicians, and other stakeholders—as it is the case in practice research networks. The goal of this book is to illustrate the unique value of practice-based evidence as a helpful source of information for practitioners, trainers, and administrators, as well as a necessary component of the empirical foundations of psychotherapy. Practice-oriented researchers from different parts of the world and across a variety of clinical settings describe what led them to build their respective programs, highlight studies they have conducted, and identify their implications. The book concludes with a list of research, public policy, training, and clinical guidelines that should inform the delivery and investigation of mental health care.</jats:p>