A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: The Case for Graphic Representations

Research in psychology and communication shows a strong advantage for visual displays in comparison with typical language, and technological innovations in computer graphics and printing capabilities now make them cost-effective as well. It can be argued that the greater use of evidence-based visualization strategies can enhance communication occurring in the interactions among and between health service delivery counselors, clients, evaluators, administrators, and clinical supervisors. In this article we present conceptual, empirical, and practical reasons for increasing the use of node-link (box-line) graphic representations in psychological treatment systems. These general-purpose displays offer clinical advantages by clearly representing interrelationships among ideas, emotions, and actions that are often lost in verbal discourse.