Evidence Based

In the early 1990's, the Division of Clinical Psychology (Task Force) developed and documented 18 specific treatment interventions that were seen as empirically validated interventions. These empirically validated interventions would later lead to the publication of treatment manuals, thus leading to manualization. Essentially, these manuals became seen as cookbooks, or as one writer called it, the "paint-by-numbers" approach. The manuals can be seen as a general outline of interventions that a mental health professional can use as a treatment modality. According to Addis and Cardemil (2006, p. 132), "In a research context, their primary function is to describe an intervention in sufficient detail such that a test of treatment integrity can be performed to document whether the independent variable was successfully manipulated in an experimental paradigm." The overall function of a treatment plan is to describe and guide the mental health professional - not be the basis of the overall approach. Additionally, the authors(2006) treatment manuals often help link a particular DSM-IV diagnosis to an etiological theory and set of treatments.

Addis and Cardemil (2006) discussed in great detail the benefits of having a treatment manual approach. Within a treatment manual, specific guidelines are discussed in detail like: length of treatment, critical interventions, training and possible strategies. Addis and Cardemil (2006, p. 134) argue that the treatment manuals are written documents intended to aid in the evaluation, dissemination, and implementation of some evidence-based treatments. Additionally, Addis and Cardemil (2006, p. 135) point out that the function of a treatment manual is not to replace the sensitive, creative, and flexible clinician, but to assist in the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatment. The above authors(2006, pg.132)pointed out that" practitioners are typically hungry for new research-supported interventions, and treatment manuals are a relatively low cost and easily available means of educating oneself in a particular treatment. Additionally, the authors point out that variability within the treatment manual is equally important. Treatment manuals, from past personal experience have varied in detail and flexibility. For instance, Addis and Cardemil (2006) state that treatment manuals suggest boundaries, interventions and possible agents of change. Additionally, Addis and Cardemil (2006, p. 136) report that treatment manuals can help delineate and monitor the presence of active ingredients in a treatment, regardless of whether they are more technique or relationship focused.

What is conflicting within this controversy is the degree for which treatment manuals were originally developed and their purpose. Treatment manuals are designed as guides to benefit mental health professionals as a resource for the provider. Additionally, these evidence-based manuals can provide