Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Does Not Work

E. Handy

Talk therapy, also known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), does not work for everyone. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that only about 50% of people who receive CBT experience significant improvement in their symptoms and improvement is not permanent due to a lack of change in the brain.

Failing to Address Past Traumas and Unresolved Issues

There are a number of reasons why CBT may not be effective for people. For example, CBT requires the client to be able to identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs. This can be difficult for some people, especially those who have difficulty with introspection, are dissociated or who have a history of trauma.

Additionally, CBT focuses on the present moment and does not address the underlying causes of a person’s problems or the past. This can be helpful for some people, but it is not enough for those who need to address past trauma or unresolved issues.

Healing Through EMDR and Brainspotting Therapy

Talking therapy is particularly ineffective for couples who enter their relationships with their own attachment styles, communication challenges and traumas. Couples cannot be successfully plugged into a rigid script and successfully heal together.

EMDR and Brainspotting therapy are two therapies that have been shown to be effective for many people who have not responded to CBT. These therapies focus on processing trauma and other difficult experiences, which can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more.

If you have tried CBT and have not found it helpful, you may want to consider EMDR or Brainspotting therapy. It is important to find a therapist who is trained in these methods.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful: