Does Therapy Work?

Does Therapy Help with Symptoms?
In 2012, a review of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) was published looking at how effective this therapy was with a variety of disorders. The study found support for CBT being used with...

- Mood Disorders (i.e., Depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar)
- Anxiety Disorders (i.e., Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD))
- Bulimia
- Sleep Problems
- Anger
- Stress Management
- Addictions
- Psychotic Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia)

Overall, this study showed how CBT is an effective therapy for a wide variety of issues. CBT is not the only form of therapy that is effective. Other therapies, (e.g., Interpersonal Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy) have gained wide acceptance as being effective for certain types of problems.

Are Clients Satisfied?
In 1994, Consumer Reports joined some researchers to test how well therapy worked in the real world. This study looked at therapy from a consumer's point of view. That is, are customers satisfied? They found that approximately 90% found that it was helpful. 

Conclusion
Yes, therapy works. Studies consistently show that well trained therapists delivering well constructed therapies are effective. The focus of the field has actually shifted away from whether therapy is effective and moved to discovering which type of therapy is the most effective for which type of problem.

REFERENCE
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy; A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36, 427-440