Is CBT more effective that other psychotherapies?

[James Pretzer]

For decades there has been debate regarding whether CBT is more effective than other psychotherapeutic approaches or whether it just has more empirical support. On several occasions, investigators have reviewed the available research and have concluded that all psychotherapies are equally effective. However, many other investigators have looked at the evidence and have disagreed with that conclusion.

A new meta-analysis is coming out which concludes that the available research shows that CBT is more effective than psychodynamic therapy, at least when treating anxiety or depression:

Is cognitive-behavioral therapy more effective than other therapies? meta-analytic review

David F. Tolin, The Institute of Living and Yale University School of Medicine

Available online 25 May 2010.

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for a range of psychiatric disorders. However, it remains unclear whether CBT is superior to other forms of psychotherapy, and previous quantitative reviews on this topic are difficult to interpret. The aim of the present quantitative review was to determine whether CBT yields superior outcomes to alternative forms of psychotherapy, and to examine the relationship between differential outcome and study-specific variables. From a computerized literature search through September 2007 and references from previous reviews, English-language articles were selected that described randomized controlled trials of CBT vs. another form of psychotherapy. Of these, only those in which the CBT and alternative therapy condition were judged to be bona fide treatments, rather than "intent to fail" conditions, were retained for analysis (28 articles representing 26 studies, N = 1981). Four raters identified post-treatment and follow-up effect size estimates, as well as study-specific variables including (but not limited to) type of CBT and other psychotherapy, sample diagnosis, type of outcome measure used, and age group. Studies were rated for methodological adequacy including (but not limited to) the use of reliable and valid measures and independent evaluators. Researcher allegiance was determined by contacting the principal investigators of the source articles. CBT was superior to psychodynamic therapy, although not interpersonal or supportive therapies, at post-treatment and at follow-up. Methodological strength of studies was not associated with larger or smaller differences between CBT and other therapies. Researchers' self-reported allegiance was positively correlated with the strength of CBT's superiority; however, when controlling for allegiance ratings, CBT was still associated with a significant advantage. The superiority of CBT over alternative therapies was evident only among patients with anxiety or depressive disorders. These results argue against previous claims of treatment equivalence and suggest that CBT should be considered a first-line psychosocial treatment of choice, at least for patients with anxiety and depressive disorders.

This study won't end the debate but hopefully it will stimulate more research to help us determine which treatment approaches are most effective for which clients.