Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Efficacy:
Fact or Fiction?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered one of the fastest acting psychotherapy methods and is very popular today. It focuses on replacing negative patterns of thinking and behavior with positive ones. However, research evidence shows that the effectiveness of CBT is a myth.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
It is a form of psychotherapy that aims at changing at how people think ("Cognitive") and act ("Behavior"), for the purpose of making them feel better. CBT is based on the model that our feelings and actions are caused by our thoughts, not by external situations.
How does CBT work?
CBT helps the patient break down the problem into smaller parts:
- Situation
- Thoughts
- Emotional Feelings
- Physical Feelings
- Actions
Then it is easy to see how they interact and how they affect the patient. People are taught to question and change their negative thoughts. Here is an example:
| Situation: | You go to work and somebody you know seems to completely ignore you. | |
|
Negative |
Positive |
Thoughts: |
He ignores me. He does not like me. People do not like me. |
He looks a bit worried. Maybe something is troubling him. |
Emotional Feelings: |
Disappointment, rejection, sadness. |
Concern for the other person. |
Physical Feelings: |
Low energy, headache. |
Feel comfortable. |
Action: |
Avoid people. |
Talk to him, make sure he is OK. |
Depending on how people think about the same situation, it can have a completely different outcome.
CBT acts fast
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties, instead of focussing on the genesis of the psychological problem in the past. With clients receiving an average of 16 sessions, CBT is considered one of the fastest methods to bring positive results, while psychoanalysis could take years. This is attributed to CBT’s instructive nature and the use of homework assignments.
Who can benefit from CBT?
According to CBT practitioners and associations, CBT has demonstrated effectiveness in the following areas:
- Anger and Stress Management
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bi-polar Disorder
- Child and Adolescent Problems
- Child Anxiety Disorders
- Child Depression
- Chronic Pain
- Couples/marital problems
- Depression
- Eating disorders (bulimia)
- Generalized anxiety
- Insomnia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Somatic Disorders
Evidence on CBT effectiveness
There are many studies that show that CBT can be effective for a range of problems and brings results immediately after treatment.
A systematic review (summary of related studies) on depression showed that the groups of people receiving CBT had the largest reduction in their symptoms, compared to Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Supportive Therapy (Churchill et al., 2001).
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in psychosis showed that after nine months of intensive therapy, the CBT group improved significantly compared to the control group (Kuipers et al., 1997). The same patients were evaluated nine months after the therapy ended, showing that the benefits of CBT remained (Kuipers et al., 1998).
An RCT in chronic schizophrenia showed that the CBT group had significant improvement three months after treatment, while the SC (Supportive Counseling) group showed minimal improvement (Tarrier et al., 1998). The same patients were evaluated twelve months after the therapy ended, showing that the benefits of CBT remained (Tarrier et al., 1999).
Tarrier N. (2005) conducted a systematic review of 20 RCTs on CBT for schizophrenia. The study showed that CBT reduces positive symptoms in chronic patients. For acutely ill patients it may have a modest effect in speeding recovery. The results were inconclusive for the effectiveness of CBT in reducing relapse rates.
A systematic review on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome indicates that CBT tends to be moderately efficacious (Malouff et al., June 2008).
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A. S. Petridis, Ph.D.
10 April 2009
v 2,3
We do not practice CBT
- SoulTherapyNow specializes in Guided Meditations and Jungian analysis, not CBT.
- We provide this information about CBT because it is a popular form of psychotherapy. We want our readers to be able to compare and make an educated decision.