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Modernism, Postmodernism and (Evidence-Based) Practice

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Abstract

One dominant discourse in the mental health arena revolves around evidence-based practice (EBP). Although there is ongoing debate about the implementation of EBP in the mental health field, most of these discussions have been limited to modernist ideas. While discussions about EBP have occurred from alternate perspectives, particularly postmodernism, a lack of open dialogue has resulted in these two groups “talking past each other” (Levy in Family Process 45:55–73, 2006). In this article we discuss the positions of both modernism and postmodernism with consideration of their respective epistemologies and attitudes toward research and EBP. We argue that critical thinking about EBP needs to include mutual debate from both modern and postmodern perspectives.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Jane Dywan for her thoughtful comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave. St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S3A1

    Heather L. Ramey

  2. Department of Child & Youth Studies, Brock University, Ontario, Canada

    Sarah Grubb

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  1. Heather L. Ramey
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  2. Sarah Grubb
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Correspondence to Heather L. Ramey.

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Ramey, H.L., Grubb, S. Modernism, Postmodernism and (Evidence-Based) Practice. Contemp Fam Ther 31, 75–86 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-009-9086-6

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