CBT v. Psychodynamic Therapy
One of the ongoing discussions in mental health research is about the relative benefits of psychodynamic therapy, probably the oldest form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), probably the most-researched protocol. Well, fans of psychodynamic therapy now have a new study to cite.
The American Journal of Psychiatry recently published a study comparing short-term psychodynamic therapy and CBT in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. The researchers found that both protocols offered significant improvement in anxiety, but CBT showed better results in treating depression.
The study was small (only 57 subjects), and involved adults, so it does not tell us much about therapy for traumatized children. Still, it does reinforce the research showing that short-term therapy is just as effective as long-term.
Hat Tip: World of Psychology
