Video: Dr. John Norcross on the future of psychotherapy

Uncategorized By John C. Norcross, PH.D.

Dr. John Norcross talks about his view of the future of psychotherapy

LF: So, what do you see as kind of the future of psychotherapy, particularly of integrative psychotherapy?

JN: You know, every ten years, Jim Petrowski and I conduct a Delphi poll of expert psychotherapists about what’s going to occur in the next 10 years.  We do so because we know using this Delphi method, it’s far more accurate forecasting, and also, because one or two people bring their own biases.  But when you have 70 experts from different persuasions, perhaps not so important.

Well, what’s going to be hot according to the experts:  multi-cultural therapy, integrative psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and mindfulness therapies.  Not coincidentally, we’ve touched on many of those topics today.  As are treatment adaptations.

And in a finding to which I resonate, as we increase more computerized therapy, smart phone applications, self-help resources, virtually everyone sees the need for a more caring relationship accompanying those.  So, as I said earlier, it’s the high tech plus the high touch coming back together.  Neuroscience, of course, is expected to continue to influence us, as well.  So, I think it will be quite interesting to see where we end up in ten years, 2022.

About the Author

John C. Norcross, PH.D. John C. Norcross, PhD, ABPP, is a clinical psychologist, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University.  He specializes in the areas of  psychotherapy, clinical training, and self-change. Dr. Norcross is the acclaimed author of the self-help book Changeology, as well as hundreds of professional journal publications and books. He is past-president of the American Psychological Association's Division of Psychotherapy and the Division of Clinical Psychology. He has served as an APA council representative and as a director of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Learn more about Dr. John C. Norcross' work at the Changeology website.

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