Beyond Critique: The Partners for Change Outcome Management System as an Alternative Paradigm to Psychiatric Diagnosis. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duncan, Barry L.; Sparks, Jacqueline A.; Timimi, Sami
• Other Names: Kamens Sarah R. guest-editor.; Robbins Brent Dean guest-editor.; Flanagan Elizabeth H. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of humanistic psychology. Volume 58:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: PCOMS -- DSM -- ICD -- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -- International Classification of Diseases -- systematic client feedback -- Partners for Change Outcome Management System; Humanistic psychology -- Periodicals; 150.192
• DOI: 10.1177/0022167817719975
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1678

Abstract

Critics claim that current psychiatric diagnostic systems lack reliability, validity, and clinical utility; are incompatible with known evidence of how change occurs in psychotherapy; are compromised by bias; and risk harmful effects for clients. This article argues that the Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS), a transparent, egalitarian process that collects and utilizes client feedback at each session, convincingly addresses these concerns. Furthermore, it suggests that PCOMS offers a viable alternative to the reimbursement and administrative functions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases . The authors propose that PCOMS represents a radical realignment of the practitioner/client relationship via full, dialogical partnership at every level of psychotherapy practice and thus constitutes a step toward a new paradigm that reconnects psychotherapy and humanistic psychology with its core relational values.