Problems that CBT can help with
Are all psychotherapies clearly effective?
The effectiveness of treatments for a wide range of psychological problems was reviewed in “What Works for Whom? A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research”, published by Guilford Press (1996). The publication was based on a report commissioned by the Department of Health (DoH) in the UK.
The therapies reviewed were classified as follows:
* Behavioural and Cognitive-Behavioural psychotherapy
* Psychodynamic psychotherapy
* Interpersonal psychotherapy
* Strategic or systematic psychotherapies
* Supportive and experimental psychotherapies
* Group therapies
Psychological problems reviewed:
* Depression
* Anxiety disorders including:
* Agoraphobia
* Panic attacks
* Generalised anxiety
* Social phobia
* Specific and simple phobias
* Obsessive compulsive disorders
* Post traumatic stress disorder
* Eating disorders
* Alcohol abuse
* Sexual dysfunction
Primary care:
* Interventions with children
* Interventions with older people
The treatments that were empirically validated and considered are abbreviated above. The review consistently supports Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) and/or Behavioural psychotherapy (BEH).
A similar theme emerges in the Department of Health’s guideline:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy comes first for both depressive and anxiety disorders, as well as bulimia, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and post traumatic stress.
The Department of Health strongly supports and confirms the evidence validating the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety disorders, depression and other emotional, psychological problems.
Treatment Choice in Psychological Therapies and Counselling (DoH, 2001)
The conclusion is evidence-based and is supported by a large consensus group, including the following contributing organisations:
* Royal College of Psychiatrists
* British Psychological Society
* Royal College of General Practitioners
* UK Council for Psychotherapy
* British Confederation of Psychotherapists
* British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy