Cognitive Therapy Outcome

Recommended by US National Institute of Mental Health as Treatment for: Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders.

Controlled trials show that CT is as effective as antidepressants for treating depression. 

Controlled trials also show that patients treated with CT are 50% less likely to relapse than if treated with medication.

CT can be used in combination with medication in treating depression.

CT has been found to be effective in treating Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Controlled outcome studies.

Although many management strategies need to be applied in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa at various stages of the illness, CT is considered the most effective treatment.

CT is one of the only forms of treatment for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder that has been found effective in controlled trials.

CT is also effective for Personality problems, relationship issues and can be used in combination with medication to benefit schizophrenia and other psychoses.

Cognitive Therapy Process

Treatment of most forms of depression, anxiety and some forms of eating disorders is relatively short-term (5 -20 sessions).

Treatment focuses on current problems, does not dwell on the past.

Therapists work closely with clients to jointly establish the goals of therapy in a collaborative atmosphere.

Therapists are accepting of clients and the human problems they encounter.

Therapists are active in therapy openly sharing with clients their interpretation of the problems.

Therapists educate clients to learn the foundations for using cognitive therapy throughout the rest of their lives.

Therapists are directive in therapy, guiding clients to a better understanding and resolution of problems.

Therapist encourage clients to work on their problems between therapeutic sessions by collaboratively developing homework projects.

Cognitive therapists believe that at least some, if not the majority of therapy can be fun, enjoyable and thereby even more beneficial than “working” at therapy.

Cognitive therapy is appropriate for children, adolescents, adult and the elderly.