Introduction

•The field has moved away from relying on experimental psychopathology studies to directly inform treatment approaches•Alienation from experimental psychopathology studies is detrimental to the advancement of treatment approaches•Gaining a better understanding of mechanisms underlying effective treatments is critical to our field.•This special series illustrates the need to integrate experimental psychopathology research to advance treatment approaches.

Cognitive behavioral therapy evolved from systematic studies testing learning theories. This research led to the development of effective treatment approaches for a variety of disorders. In more recent years we have moved away from relying on experimental psychopathology studies to directly inform our treatment approaches. This paper describes why the alienation from experimental psychopathology studies is detrimental to the advancement of treatment approaches. Examples of how systematic research can be conducted to address questions regarding treatment mechanisms and moderators are provided. Drawing on experimental psychopathology research can also lead to a better understanding of core processes of psychopathology, which in turn can lead to transdiagnostic treatment approaches.