Introduction to the special issue on process-based therapy

Abstract

Process-based therapy (PBT) is a meta-theoretical approach to psychological assessment and intervention rooted in evolutionary science and focused on dynamic change processes within particular people in their unique context. Part of the aspiration of PBT is to integrate and streamline clinical expertise across theoretical orientations, to clarify the most efficient and effective means of reducing human suffering and promoting psychological prosperity. This special issue in the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, introduced by the current paper, is an initial step toward this goal. We present six articles, each highlighting a specific therapeutic approach, from acceptance and commitment therapy to existential therapy. These articles demonstrate how integrating PBT with existing models enhances the depth of case conceptualization and treatment planning.