Call for Papers: Indicators of Efficacy and Effectiveness in Psychotherapy Research
We invite submissions for an upcoming special issue focused on specific indicators of efficacy and effectiveness in psychotherapy. This issue aims to expound the measurable metrics that define, differentiate but also integrate efficacy and effectiveness within the context of psychotherapy and mental health treatments. We seek papers that explore various indicators, including clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness across different forms of psychotherapy (both long-term and short-term) and various modalities.
Contributions may focus on comparative studies of various therapeutic modalities and their efficacy, meta-analyses of existing research on treatment effectiveness and how results vary across different indicators, innovative methodologies for assessing psychotherapy outcomes, and theoretical explorations of the implications of efficacy versus effectiveness in clinical practice.
Topics of Interest Include, but are Not Limited to:
1. Indicators of Efficacy in Controlled Settings
- Research that identifies and evaluates specific indicators measuring how well treatments work under ideal, controlled conditions, such as in clinical trials
- Studies focusing on metrics that minimise external variables to demonstrate whether a therapy can work in optimal settings
- Example indicators: symptom reduction scales, physiological measures, clinician-rated outcome measures in controlled trials
2. Indicators of Effectiveness in Real-World Settings
- Investigations into measurable indicators that reflect the effectiveness of psychotherapy treatments in diverse, real-world conditions with typical clients
- Studies examining how specific metrics can capture whether a therapy does work outside of strict experimental controls
- Example indicators include patient satisfaction surveys, metrics of functional improvement, assessments of personality functioning, and quality of life evaluations from both the patient and their close ones
3. Comparative Studies on Efficacy and Effectiveness Indicators
- Research comparing efficacy and effectiveness indicators to assess their relevance and predictive power in different therapeutic contexts
- Studies analysing how efficacy indicators translate into effectiveness measures when applied to broader populations
4. Implications of Indicators for Clinical Practice and Policy
- o Exploration of how specific efficacy and effectiveness indicators can influence clinical decision-making, treatment guidelines, and mental health policies
- o Research examining the role of indicators in improving therapeutic outcomes and guiding the selection of appropriate interventions
Submission Guidelines:
In order to align editorial and author(s) visions, we will use a two-tier review process. Namely, we first invite Letters of Intent (maximum 1000 words) summarising the planned contribution and how it will address the criteria described above. We welcome authors to contact the co-editors regarding the potential suitability of a manuscript before submitting a Letter of Intent. The co-editors of the Special Issue will then invite full submissions based on their review of the Letters of Intent. Authors invited to submit will also be asked to serve as peer reviewers alongside those selected through traditional methods.
The expected timeline of the issue is as follows:
- February 28, 2025 – Letters of Intent
- April 1, 2025 – Authors contacted for invited full submissions
- June 30, 2025 – Full submissions due
- October 30, 2025 – Reviews due
- November 15, 2025 – Review decisions sent to authors
- December 1, 2025 – Revised manuscripts due
- January 15, 2026 – Final manuscripts due to journal
Submission Portal:
https://www.editorialsystem.com/pipk/ [Polish]
https://www.editorialsystem.com/pipken/ [English]
For Inquiries:
Please contact Anna Zajenkowska a.zajenkowska@vizja.pl, Rafał Styła rstyla@psych.uw.edu.pl