Principles of Change

Principles of Change constitutes a new approach to evidence-based practice in psychotherapy that goes beyond the traditional and unidirectional dissemination of research, whereby clinicians are typically viewed as passive recipients of scientific findings. Based on an extensive review of literature, it first offers a list of 38 empirically based principles of change grouped in five categories: client prognostic, treatment/provider moderating, client process, therapeutic relationship, and therapist interventions. Six therapists from diverse theoretical orientations then describe, in rich and insightful detail, how they implement each of these principles. The book also offers exchanges between researchers and clinicians on several key issues, including: how similarly and differently change principles are addressed or used across a variety of treatments; and how clinicians' observations and reflections can guide future research. By presenting together these unique yet complementary experiences, Principles of Change will support synergetic advances in understanding and improving psychotherapy, laying the foundation for further collaborations and partnerships between stakeholders in mental health services.

Louis G. Castonguay, PhD completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook, a clinical internship at U.C. Berkeley, and a Post-doctorate at Stanford University. He is currently a Professor at the Department of Psychology at Penn State University. With more than 200 publications (including nine co-edited books), his scholarly work and research focus on different aspects of the therapeutic change and training (including variables related to interventions, relationship, client, and therapist), especially within the context of psychotherapy integration.

He is also involved in practice-oriented research and the development of Practice Research Networks, both aimed at facilitating the collaboration between clinicians and researchers. In addition, he has been investigating the process and efficacy of new integrative treatments for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. He has received several recognitions, including Distinguished Awards for his lifetime contributions from both the Division of Psychotherapy of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR). He also served as President of the North American chapter of SPR, as well as SPR.

Michael J. Constantino, PhD completed his doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at the Pennsylvania State University, a clinical internship at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Constantino is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he directs the Psychotherapy Research Lab and serves as Graduate Program Director. Dr. Constantino's professional and research interests center on patient, therapist, and dyadic factors in psychosocial treatments; pantheoretical principles of clinical change (i.e., common factors); and measurement-based care.

He has authored or co-authored over 140 journal articles and book chapters, and over 220 professional presentations. Dr. Constantino's work has been recognized internationally, including with his receipt of the American Psychological Foundation's Early Career Award, the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration's New Researcher Award, the Society for Psychotherapy Research's Outstanding Early Career Achievement Award, the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy) Distinguished Publication of Psychotherapy Research Award, and APA and Division 29 fellow status. Dr. Constantino is President of APA Division 29 and Past-President of the North American Society for Psychotherapy Research.


Larry E. Beutler, PhD is the past Director of the National Center on the Psychology of Terrorism, a multi-center Institute sponsored by Stanford University, Palo Alto University, and the Palo Alto Veterans Health Care System. He is the William McInnes Distinguished Professor Emeritus and the former Chair and Director of Training for the Clinical Psychology Program at Palo Alto University's Pacific Graduate School of Psychology in Palo Alto, California. He also holds an appointment as Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he established and Directed the Clinical/Counseling/School Psychology Program. Dr. Beutler's first positions following his graduation (PhD-Clinical Psychology) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1970), was at Duke University Medical School. This placement was followed by appointments at Stephen F. Austin State University, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Arizona. Subsequently, he moved to California.

Dr. Beutler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), a two-term past international President of the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), Past-President of the Society for Clinical Psychology (Division 12, APA), and Past-President of the Division of Psychotherapy (American Psychological Association, Division 29). He is a recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the California Psychological Association, the Distinguished Research Career Award from the Society for Psychotherapy Research, International, and of a Presidential Citation from the President of the American Psychological Association.