Scientific-theoretical and scientific-ethical considerations on the relationship between psychotherapy, psychology and psychotherapy science

Abstract

This article presents theoretical and ethical considerations on the relationship between psychotherapy (PT), psychology and psychotherapy science (PTW). The starting point is the lack of clarity as to whether PT should be understood as an independent science or as a specialization of psychology. It is argued that PT is not a science in the narrower sense, but must be supplemented on a reflective metatheoretical level by its own PTW. This is presented as an external, normative perspective that enables a systematic examination of PT, the internal theories of the PT schools and the historical, cultural and epistemological foundations. In doing so, the tension between the subject orientation of PT and the reductive approaches of modern science becomes a topic. The article argues for an integrative scientific architecture in which PTW acts as an independent discipline and embeds psychology and other relevant fields of research in a comprehensive meta-scientific framework.