Society for Psychotherapy Research

The Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) is an international, multidisciplinary scientific association dedicated to the study and research of psychotherapy. Founded in 1970, the organization aims to enhance the empirical basis and applied value of psychotherapy research, facilitating dialogue among researchers while promoting innovative methodologies.

History

The inception of the SPR can be traced back to a meeting of psychotherapists at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in 1968. This gathering was supported by contributions from the American Psychological Association Division of Psychotherapy and the American Academy of Psychotherapists. The founding figures included Kenneth I. Howard and David Orlinsky, alongside notable supporters such as Lester Luborsky, Nathaniel Raskin, and Hans Herrman Strupp. Their efforts culminated in the first official conference in Highland Park, Illinois, in 1969.

Organization

As of December 2017, SPR encompasses four regional chapters located in:

• Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• United Kingdom

In addition to these chapters, the society operates area groups in Australia and Italy. SPR also has five special interest sections focusing on:

• Child, adolescent, and family therapy research
• Culture and psychotherapy
• Therapist training and development
• Case study interest group
• Complexity science in psychotherapy

Membership

The society boasts approximately 1,100 members worldwide, which include researchers, clinicians, and students from diverse theoretical and cultural backgrounds. Members benefit from subscriptions to the society's official journal, Psychotherapy Research, which is published bi-monthly by Routledge.

Research and Funding

The SPR is committed to fostering research initiatives within the field of psychotherapy. It provides small research grants to support pilot studies, assisting researchers in securing more substantial funding for further investigations. These initiatives contribute to a richer understanding of psychotherapy processes and outcomes.

Annual Meetings

The society hosts international annual meetings that have been a tradition since its founding. These meetings gather scholars from around the globe to present scientific programs and share research findings. The proceedings from these meetings are made accessible online, dating back to 1972.

Journal

One of the primary platforms for disseminating research findings is the Psychotherapy Research journal. This publication covers a wide range of topics related to psychotherapy, from process evaluation to training and service evaluation, making it an essential resource for both practitioners and researchers.

The Society for Psychotherapy Research continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the field of psychotherapy through collaboration, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge, thereby impacting clinical practice and research globally.