CBT "does not work says second high-profile clinical psychologist

March 20, 2009

by Angela Hussain
......

A second high-profile clinical psychologist has delivered a hard-hitting criticism of cognitive-behavioural
therapy (CBT) claiming it is simplistic and does not work

Dr Oliver James accused government ministers of being "downright dishonest when they claimed that
new NHS CBT-trained therapists will cure half of 900,00 people of their depression and anxiety.

"There is not a single scientific study which supports that claim, says Dr James.
"Being cheap, quick and simplistic, CBT naturally appeals to the government. Yet the fact is, it doesnt
work, added Dr James.

His attack in a newspaper column follows that of clinical psychologist Dorothy Rowe. Writing for
psychminded.co.uk Dr Rowe said CBT was a "Labour quick fix.
But CBT supporters say Dr Rowes views represented an "out-of-date tirade.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence states CBT has a solid evidence base for
effective treatment for a number of diagnoses, including depression and schizophrenia.

But Dr James quoted a review of CBT by Professor Drew Weston and colleagues in the 2004
Psychological Bulletin (130, 631 663).
"Weston found that two years after treatment, two-thirds of those who had CBT have relapsed or sought
further help." said Dr James.

"If given no treatment, most people with depression drift in and out of it. After 18 months, those given CBT
have no better mental health than ones who have been untreated," added Dr James. Findings for anxiety
are similar, he said.

"Methods which go beyond the symptoms to the heart of the matter are infinitely preferable to CBT,"
argued Dr James.
"One is cognitive analytic therapy. Initial treatment is for 16 sessions, of which the first four are devoted to
the childhood causes. Another helpful treatment is the Hoffman Process, a nine-day programme which
tackles the origins of depression."
Dr Jamess criticism comes after the Department of Health announced earlier this month that it is
speeding up its access to psychological therapies programme whereby 900,000 people with depression
and anxiety will be referred to CBT-trained therapists. Half would be cured, said ministers.
The government said it would invest an extra 13 million into the programme.