Precision medicine: Matching patients with psychotherapists ‘improves outcomes’

An algorithm that matches a patient's mental health problem with a psychotherapist who has expertise in the corresponding area could enhance care, a trial suggests
Clare Pain
psychologist and patient

Patients needing psychotherapy do better if they are treated by therapists objectively demonstrated to have a track record of success with their particular mental health issue, US researchers report.

This suggests a degree of ‘personalised medicine’ could be introduced into mental health care by matching a patient to the right therapist, the University of Massachusetts team says.