Medical model as metaphor: Old habits die hard

K. Chwalisz (2001) and S. Maltzman (2001) recognized that H. Ahn and B. E. Wampold's (2001) study demonstrated that component studies failed to identify specific ingredients responsible for therapeutic benefits but cautioned against rejecting a medical model of psychotherapy. The authors respond to their comments by discussing 5 fallacies: (a) The alternative to the medical model is a collection of common factors; (b) medical model language is appropriate for describing psychological treatments; (c) the medical model is valid, but only time will reveal evidence to support it; (d) rejection of the medical model implies separation from the medical establishment; and (e) a medical model conceptualization will further the mental health needs of diverse communities.