BABCP: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): What’s the Evidence?

Sly Saint · Apr 5, 2021

Mental health problems are serious and widespread. We need therapies that work.

We know that CBT is a leading therapy, which works very well for lots of different problems. These problems include depression, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, and many others. CBT is also helpful for some physical health conditions. CBT can be used with individuals, groups and couples, and in many different settings. For more about what CBT is like, you can read our page on What is CBT?

We know that CBT works well because it is based on evidence from research and clinical practice. The science behind it is strong. We want to share knowledge and understanding about CBT, so that more people experiencing mental health problems get the best care. As part of this, we want people to understand the science, so they can see why CBT could be helpful for them or their loved ones.

CBT and Science

The field of CBT is committed to using scientific methods to better understand:

How to make sense of different mental health problems

How best to help with different mental health problems

Who CBT works best for and

How CBT works.

One of BABCP’s core values is to use an evidence-based approach. This means understanding what evidence is available about an approach, and using what works best. This commitment to science has enabled the field of CBT to progress into many different areas with confidence.

What do we mean by evidence?
When we talk about the evidence base we are mostly referring to research studies which have been carried out and written up in academic journals which are peer-reviewed. This means that the quality of the articles has been checked by other researchers working in similar fields. It is important that research studies have strong, robust designs. This is so that we can be confident that the therapy being tested is very likely to work well for a range of people. It also means we can be confident that any improvement is due to the treatment we are testing, and not something else. If you are interested and want to find out more about different types of research study you could read our therapist’s guide to research.

Studies might explore things like:

Does a CBT work for a particular problem?

Is CBT cost-effectiveness? (can services afford it?)

How does CBT work?

How do people feel about the treatment?

Who does the treatment work best for?

Why is evidence important?
Just as with any treatment for a problem, it is important to know what works and for whom? It is also important to make sure that a treatment is not harmful. This helps people to make decisions about which type of therapy to have. We have some links and references to some of the evidence for CBT listed below.

An absence of evidence for something doesn’t mean it necessarily doesn’t work, it may just be that those studies have not been done yet.

Sometimes people debate the evidence which is available, and this helps to advance our understanding of what works for whom.

The available evidence for a treatment grows and changes over time. Sometimes recommendations for treatment change in response to this.

It’s important to know that not every therapy works for everyone, and there are alternatives to CBT on offer. Being able to choose what therapy you want to have is also important.
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" for lay audiences":
https://babcp.com/What-is-CBT/Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy-Whats-the-Evidence

"for clinicians":
A cognitive behavioural therapist’s guide to evidence:
https://www.babcp.com/Therapists/A-Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapists-Guide-to-Evidence

Invisible Woman · Apr 5, 2021

Mental health problems are serious and widespread. We need therapies that work.
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So why are you diverting much needed support and funding away from services for those with serious mental health problems and funneling them into a one size fits none IAPT machine?

When we talk about the evidence base we are mostly referring to research studies which have been carried out and written up in academic journals which are peer-reviewed. This means that the quality of the articles has been checked by other researchers working in similar fields. It is important that research studies have strong, robust designs.
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[Bolding mine]

So why don't you design them properly?

Jonathan Edwards · Apr 5, 2021

So everyone, what is the evidence? The evidence is STRONG, yes the evidence is STRONG and there is so much of it praise ye praise ye. How wonderful CBT is.

If one ever wondered if the evidence base for CBT was bullshit this allows one to stop wondering. The level of this is so low that ten year olds should smell a rat. If this is the best that the 'Lead Organisation for CBT in the UK' can up with, we can move along, nothing to see here.

Or to put it another way some people do not seem to be good at lying.

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BABCP: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): What’s the Evidence?

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Invisible Woman Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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BABCP: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): What’s the Evidence?

Sly Saint Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Invisible Woman Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Jonathan Edwards Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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