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Why is CBT so popular?
Accessibility. A major factor behind the popularity of CBT therapy is its accessibility. Again, the NHS has put a focus on this psychological therapy. According to an article in The Independent, in 2007, the government earmarked a whopping £173m to train an extra 3,600 CBT therapists in the approach. You can get talking therapies, including CBT, on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. Or your GP can refer you if you prefer. If you can afford it, you can choose to pay for your therapy privately. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Earn an advanced degree in psychology or a related field. Accumulate ten years of post-graduate experience in CBT. Get three letters of recommendation from fellow mental health professionals. Complete a CBT-specific certification program.
Who is CBT Not recommended for?
CBT may not be for you if you want to focus exclusively on past issues or if you want supportive counselling. Although some people find CBT helpful, not everyone does. If you’ve tried something and it hasn’t helped, it’s important not to blame yourself. See our information on what to do if therapy isn’t helping and alternatives to therapy for other options you could try. Conclusions. CBT is an effective, gold-standard treatment for anxiety and stress-related disorders. CBT uses specific techniques to target unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors shown to generate and maintain anxiety. ‘While studies show that in the short-term – six to 12 months – patients who have received CBT are more likely to report themselves as ‘recovered’ compared to those who have received no treatment, these results are not sustained in the long-term. ‘CBT is largely ineffective for the majority of patients. How Effective is CBT? Research shows that CBT is the most effective form of treatment for those coping with depression and anxiety. CBT alone is 50-75% effective for overcoming depression and anxiety after 5 – 15 modules. Many studies have found that self-directed CBT can be very effective. Two reviews that each included over 30 studies (see references below) found that self-help treatment significantly reduced both anxiety and depression, especially when the treatments used CBT techniques.