Introduction to Special Issue: Evidence-based Assessment in Pediatric Psychology

Abstract

In the past decade, there has been considerable attention devoted to evaluating the scientific merit of psychological treatments. In 1995, Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) embarked on an evaluation of evidence-based (formerly referred to as empirically supported) treatments for psychopathology (Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, 1995). A similar venture soon followed from Division 53 (Society of Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology) to identify psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents, which were supported by research findings (Lonigan, Elbert, & Johnson, 1998). Division 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology) of the APA conducted an evaluation yielding a series of articles on evidence-based treatments germane to pediatric psychology (Spirito, 1999).