Patients, healthcare providers and insurance companies have over the past two decades been increasingly interested in empirically validated treatments for mental health problems and psychological disorders. Dr. Ankuta’s initial work over 25 years ago was in a training clinic at Michigan State University that maintained an active psychotherapy research program on the effectiveness of psychotherapy, and all clients that all clinicians treated completed symptom checklists at various points in the psychotherapy process. Dr. Ankuta’s master’s degree and doctoral dissertation research were done on psychotherapy outcome with this database. Dr. Ankuta published a research paper in a professional journal on psychotherapy outcome: Ankuta, G. Y. & Abeles, N. (1993) Client satisfaction, clinical significance, and meaningful change in psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 24, 70-74. This paper demonstrated that clients were more satisfied with psychotherapy that produced clinically meaningful change in the symptoms that brought them into psychotherapy. Dr. Ankuta’s doctoral dissertation was: “The Impact of the Initial and Later Therapeutic Alliance on Psychotherapy Outcomeâ€Â(1992), and it demonstrated the importance of a strong positive therapeutic alliance, the working interpersonal relationship between the client and the therapist, in attaining a successful psychotherapy outcome that included significant symptom reduction. Dr. Ankuta is now using empirically validated psychotherapy in his work with his clients.
Empirically validated psychotherapy is psychotherapy in which symptom reduction results are continually monitored throughout the psychotherapy process in order to help insure that the therapy process is helping and to confirm that the desired outcome of symptom reduction is achieved. A depressed person should experience less symptoms of depression as psychotherapy progresses. An anxious person should experience less symptoms of anxiety as treatment progresses. Empirically validating psychotherapy can help to ensure the desired results are achieved and to identify issues and obstacles that may interfere with the success of the treatment. Clients participating in empirically validated psychotherapy will complete symptom questionnaires at intervals throughout the psychotherapy treatment. If you are the type of person who wants to see evidence of results then empirically validated psychotherapy is for you.
The Treatment You Need
George Ankuta Ph.D.’s goal is to equip patients with the tools and treatments they need to enjoy full, happy, healthy lives. He is committed to his patients’ long-term health and wellbeing. He understands that seeking treatment for a psychological disorder can be frightening, but he wants you to know that you’re not alone. He wants to help you reduce your symptoms and get back the life you deserve.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an untreated psychological disorder, don’t wait. Call George Ankuta Ph.D. in Seattle, WA now to schedule an appointment.
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