A debate rages in psychology, but it is not the usual kind, which focuses on a specific aspect of the mind or a new drug, but a controversy that concerns the very foundations of psychology . The main problem is determining which treatments for patients are valid. Some believe they should be empirically supported treatments, treatments supported by hard data and scientifically supported. Others believe this standard of care is too restrictive for the complex field of psychology. The President's Task Force on Evidence-Based Treatment of the American Psychological Association has put forward a plan for psychology that actually maintains a high scientific standard but allows for a variety of research designs to be used to determine how to treat a patient. This evidence-based psychological practice plan (EBPP) is good because it allows patients to receive personalized treatment supported by science. EBPP “is the integration of the best available research with clinical experience in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences. ” (essay on book 1). The first important aspect of the EBPP is the use of the best available research. Opponents have argued that randomized clinical trials are too narrow a type of study for psychology. A very valid point, this has been addressed in the new EBPP standard. Multiple types of research are included, ranging from public health and ethnographic research, to systematic case studies, to qualitative research, to meta-analyses (book 1). Using research-supported treatments reduces bias in treatment. Some psychologists argue that their experience is enough to know what works (Kendall 1998). Unfortunately, a human can be biased incorrectly without any knowledge of this. Three data-driven…half of the paper…as a whole. Customers will know that they will receive help that has proven to be beneficial. These treatments will take into account a wide variety of factors to be as effective as possible. These include using the best available research, taking into account the patient's characteristics and background, and using the psychologist's expertise. Evidence-based practice in psychology is a strong plan to advance psychology as a whole. Works Cited Mahrer, Alvin R (01/03/2005). "Empirically supported therapies and therapeutic relationships: what are the serious problems and plausible alternatives?". Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (0022-0116), 35 (1), p. 3.Kendall, P.C. (02/28/1998). “Empirically Supported Psychological Therapies.” Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology (0022-006X), 66(1), p. 3.DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.66.1.3