Does psychotherapy work for all disorders listed in the DSM? Identify the disorders that outcome research suggests have the best success rate.

          The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a classification of mental disorders that numerous mental health professionals use (American Psychiatric Association, 2014). The intended use of the DSM is applicable in a variety of contexts and researchers and clinicians use it in numerous orientations. The newest edition of the DSM or DSM-5 was designed for the purpose of use in clinical settings such as within clinics and private practices (American Psychiatric Association, 2014). Numerous mental health professionals use the DSM such as clinical psychologists as a reference or means of help with determining if a patient is suffering from a specific mental illness. In regard to disorders listed in the DSM, psychotherapy is an effective measure for treating numerous disorders it lists. Psychotherapy is an intentional and informed application of interpersonal stances and clinical methods taken from established psychological principles as a means of modifying the emotions, cognitions, behavior of individuals in a direction deemed desirable by that particular individual (Plante, 2011).

          Plante (2011), "psychotherapy is the general umbrella term for an enormous range of interventions, modalities, and integrative strategies employed in the service of improving quality of life and health" (p. 247). Therefore, psychotherapy is an effective means of treatment for disorders such as eating disorders, depressive disorders, personality disorders, and anxiety disorders. Specifically, psychotherapy is a means of treatment for disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder. During psychotherapy, patients can learn about their problems, behavior, thoughts, and feelings, and gain stress management skills; which, is why it is an effective means of treating numerous disorders listed in the DSM.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.psych.org/practice/dsm

Plante, T.G. (2011). Contemporary Clinical Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.