Reflection on the RANZCP position on the adverse effects of psychotherapy

Abstract

Objective: In this perspective, we investigate how the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ (RANZCP) position statement on psychotherapy takes the potential for adverse effects into account.

Conclusions: Psychotherapy has two critical outcomes – efficacy and adverse effects. Evidence-based psychotherapy is significantly more effective than care-as-usual for about one in 10 psychotherapy patients. However, a similar proportion also reports adverse effects. Despite this, the RANZCP position statement on psychotherapy focuses on efficacy with minimal discussion of the adverse effects. This is an oversight because psychiatrists have legal and ethical obligations to consider the adverse effects as well as the benefits of any treatment. We therefore reflect on the RANZCP’s six recommendations in light of the adverse effects of psychotherapy. Show more