Fall 2009 » In Review » Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

March, 2009

Edited by Jeffrey Lohr, Scott Lilienfeld, Steven Lynn
Guilford Press

Psychology professor Jeffrey Lohr has dedicated much of his research to distinguishing between psychological therapies backed by empirical evidence and those based merely on speculation.

With co-editors Scott Lilienfeld of Emory University and Steven Lynn of Binghamton University, Lohr has published a book that subjects numerous, popular psychological treatments to scientific scrutiny and finds many of them lacking.

In "Science and Pseudoscience," renowned experts in the fields of psychology and law examine the lack of scientific evidence behind controversial therapies for ADHD, multiple personality disorder and repressed memories as well as alcoholism, depression and trauma. Contribut-ing authors also scrutinize the use of herbal and alternative remedies for psychological conditions and question the growing commercialization of the mental health industry.

Says Harrison G. Pope, doctor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School: "At last - a book that pulls no punches, names names, and isn't afraid to portray junk science for what it is. This will be invaluable reading for anyone in the mental health professions and an essential reference for students."