Mental health challenges can affect anyone which is why we need trusted therapies that work, which individuals can feel confident about using.
CBT is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for a range of mental health challenges. It’s also effective for certain physical health conditions and can be tailored to individuals, couples, or groups, in various settings.
The science behind CBT
Based on scientific research, CBT is designed according to what works, what doesn’t, and the most effective ways to support people.
Since everyone’s situation is unique, the principles behind CBT – and lots of research with different groups of people – means that we have more evidence that allows us to reach more people and discover new ways of helping. CBT is driven by a commitment to science, which allows us to better understand:
- The nature of different mental health challenges
- The most effective ways to address them
- Who benefits most from CBT
- How CBT works
As an approach, CBT has always valued testing things out to see what works best, using the best research methods available, and taking note of what doesn’t work too. This has built our scientific foundation, which means that CBT can now be used to tackle a wider range of challenges with proven effectiveness.
Why evidence matters in CBT
Evidence-based therapy matters, because we want to make sure that what we do really does help – and make sure that we avoid things that can be harmful. The best research is published in ‘peer-reviewed’ journals, where experts assess the quality of each study. When a research study has a good design, it helps to show whether the effects are really due to the therapy, and not a coincidence or something else that wasn’t therapy.
Research helps clinicians and patients make informed decisions about the best route forward for their mental health. Any treatment must be applied to each person’s unique needs, as what works for one individual may not work for everyone, or may need to be adapted.
Other reasons why evidence is important are:
- Therapists make decisions based on research, not just personal opinion
- Evidence supports, rather than replaces, clinical expertise in decision-making
- It ensures the best evidence guides any complex treatment plans
- Evidence improves therapists’ skills, knowledge, and attitudes and helps them make sure they stay up to date with developments in the field
How do I find information I can trust?
The best way to find out what works for different kinds of difficulty is by checking sites that have the best available evidence. In England, the NICE guidance sets out the best treatments, based on careful reviews of research, taking into account patients’ experiences and up to date science.
In Scotland, the Scottish Matrix (2011) sets out the available evidence base for psychological therapies for common mental health problems, and in Wales, the Matrics Cymru has also been developed.
What are NICE Guidelines?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, also known as NICE, regularly reviews the evidence for different problems and publishes guidelines for addressing each problem based on this evidence. NICE Guidelines are used to recommend what treatments get offered in England and Wales. They are internationally respected as high quality recommendations.
CBT is recommended in many guidelines and offered by the NHS for various issues. To find specific guidelines for your condition, visit www.nice.org.uk where you can see the different issues that CBT can help with.
Further insights
You can listen to our podcast series, ‘Let’s Talk About CBT’. These have interviews with people who have experienced CBT firsthand, and sometimes with therapists too. In each episode, there’s a conversation about what it’s like to have the condition and to have CBT as an evidence-based treatment for that problem.
More reading about CBT & evidence
For a helpful review of evidence for CBT, try Chapter 10 in Layard, R., & Clark, D. M. (2015). Thrive Princeton University Press.
This book by Corrie and Lane is really useful and the authors and publisher have kindly given access to Chapter 1 Understanding Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Corrie, S., & Lane, D. A. (2021). First Steps in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. SAGE Publications Limited. Chapter 1
For more technical information about CBT’s evidence base you can read our guide to evidence for therapists which contains references to more academic articles.
