As many clinicians are aware, the field of human psychology, and in particular, the ‘science’ of psychotherapy has never gained the full respect of the medical / healthcare community. While some physicians will politely refer to psychotherapy as a ‘non-medical procedure’, others are more mocking in referring to psychotherapy as a ‘voodoo science’ or being equivalent to ‘witchcraft’.

Over the years, although the field of psychology has been painfully aware of its ostracized status from the medical sciences, it has been unable to present a convincing portrayal of the profession’s true connection and value as a healing art and science.

This is not to say that efforts have not been made to improve its ‘scientific image’. On the one hand the field has tried to improve its image by introducing ‘scientific sounding terminology’ such as its current emphasis on “evidenced based treatment”, while on the other hand, downplaying or ignoring methods, -such as paradoxical interventions!- that seem to highlight the absurd side of psychology with treatment interventions that ‘defy gravity’. However, even with these ‘improvements’ to bolster its image, the mainstream science and medical community continue to maintain a distant stance toward the field. The question is, “Why??!”

The following are 3 articles that seek to identify and articulate the inner divisions within the field of psychology that perpetuate its ostracized position. The forth article seeks to identify the solution to that will move the field of psychology into its rightful position as a respected science and healing art.

The first article addresses the internal issues that reek havoc on the process of treatment caused by the ongoing rift between Behavioral, Cognitive, and Psychodynamic orientations. Although there is obvious overlap between these approaches, the field has been unable to offer a conceptual umbrella that indicate the underlying unity of these orientations. From a theoretical perspective, “Houston...We have a problem...”

The second encompasses the notion of the private and privileged world of Psycho-Babble.

And the third addresses the age old problem of: Freud or Fraud?

The forth article suggests an avenue by which psychology will gain the respect of the scientific / medical community. It is both a radical and simple solution.