What qualifies as an evidence-based practice in mental health?

An evidence-based practice in mental health is defined as methods that have been supported by empirical research demonstrating their effectiveness in treating specific mental health conditions. This approach integrates clinical expertise with the best available research and patient values to provide the most effective interventions. Empirical research provides the foundation for understanding whether a practice can lead to desired outcomes, ensuring that treatments are not only theoretically sound but also practically effective in real-world settings.

Innovative techniques based solely on personal experiences, traditional approaches that lack rigorous scientific validation, or practices simply because therapists have used them in the past do not meet the criteria for evidence-based practices. They may offer insights or anecdotal benefits but lack the necessary support from systematic research to confirm their efficacy. Therefore, the emphasis on methods supported by rigorous empirical research is what fundamentally defines evidence-based practices in the field of mental health.