nickh
Well-known member
Founding Member
Sometimes you don't know whether to laugh 
or cry 
Reading the following was one such time....
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?EntryId17=61838
I'll cut and paste it for convenience too....
>>The idea that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is more effective than other types of talking treatment is a myth, experts said today.
Unlike some other talking therapies, CBT focuses on "here and now" problems and difficulties rather than delving into the past.
It also looks at changing how somebody thinks and their behaviour.
Today, researchers attending a conference at the University of East Anglia (UEA) said it was commonly believed that CBT was superior to other methods.
But this could be because there are more published studies on CBT than any other therapy, they argued.
CBT has not been proved to be better than other therapies and such perceptions could mislead the public and harm patient care.
In a joint statement, Professors Mick Cooper and Robert Elliott, from the University of Strathclyde, William B Stiles, from Miami University, and Art Bohart, from Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco, said: "The Government, the public and even many health officials have been sold a version of the scientific evidence that is not based in fact, but is instead based on a logical error.
"This is how it works. One, more academic researchers subscribe to a CBT approach than any other. Two, these researchers get more research grants and publish more studies on the effectiveness of CBT. Three, this greater number of studies is used to imply that CBT is more effective.
"Although CBT advocates rarely make this claim so boldly, their continual emphasis on the amount of evidence is misunderstood by the public, other health care workers, and Government officials, a misunderstanding that they allow to stand without correction.
"The result is a widespread belief that no one takes responsibility for. In other words, a myth."
The experts said the belief has "direct negative consequences for other well-developed psychotherapies, such as person-centred and psychodynamic, which have smaller evidence bases than CBT".
They added: "These approaches are themselves supported by substantial, although smaller, bodies of research."
The scientists said a meta-analysis of more than 80 studies revealed that person-centred and psychodynamic therapies were just as effective as other forms, including CBT.
"In view of these and other data, it is scientifically irresponsible to continue to imply and act as though CBTs are more effective, as has been done in justifying the expenditure of £173m to train CBT therapists throughout England.
"Such claims harm the public by restricting patient choice and discourage some psychologically distressed people from seeking treatment."
Prof Cooper said studies suggested that it was not the therapy chosen but the client's level of motivation, participation and ability that made a difference.
"After that, the key ingredient seems to be the quality of the therapeutic relationship, with warm, understanding, trustworthy therapists having the best results."
Prof Bohart added: "There is evidence that some clients prefer an approach to counselling where the focus is on helping you explore and understand yourself.
"In contrast, other clients prefer an approach where the therapist takes the lead in teaching you particular cognitive and behavioural skills, such as how to think. Since both work about equally well it is important that both be available to the public."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "We are looking to improve our primary care preventions - that is why we launched a major new programme designed to help transform the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders earlier this year. This will train an extra 3,600 Psychological Therapists and offer greater access to Cognitive Behaviour Therapies.
"It is also crucial that a range of options are available to best suit the patient. For many people, prescribing medication is a successful treatment but psychological therapies have proved to be as effective as drugs in tackling these common mental health problems and are often more effective in the longer term.
"The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, which aims to improve individual's well-being, satisfaction and choice, has already captured the imagination of Primary Care Trusts up and down the country and is transforming the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders in the areas that have been involved so far."<<
My own position has always been that the promotion of CBT as some kind of new wonder-cure was motivated above all by the fact that it is cheaper than other talking therapies and crudely interpreted it shifts the blame onto the patient. I certainly don't deny that for some people it is enormously helpful - just as medication, other talking therapies/analysis/counselling can be not to mention social issues. Chanting my mantra
the fact is everyone needs to be treated as an individual and any one size fits all solution is not only wrong but can have appalling effects when applied to those whom it does not fit. But treating people as individuals is the most expensive option.
Nick.
or cry Reading the following was one such time....
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?EntryId17=61838
I'll cut and paste it for convenience too....
>>The idea that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is more effective than other types of talking treatment is a myth, experts said today.
Unlike some other talking therapies, CBT focuses on "here and now" problems and difficulties rather than delving into the past.
It also looks at changing how somebody thinks and their behaviour.
Today, researchers attending a conference at the University of East Anglia (UEA) said it was commonly believed that CBT was superior to other methods.
But this could be because there are more published studies on CBT than any other therapy, they argued.
CBT has not been proved to be better than other therapies and such perceptions could mislead the public and harm patient care.
In a joint statement, Professors Mick Cooper and Robert Elliott, from the University of Strathclyde, William B Stiles, from Miami University, and Art Bohart, from Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco, said: "The Government, the public and even many health officials have been sold a version of the scientific evidence that is not based in fact, but is instead based on a logical error.
"This is how it works. One, more academic researchers subscribe to a CBT approach than any other. Two, these researchers get more research grants and publish more studies on the effectiveness of CBT. Three, this greater number of studies is used to imply that CBT is more effective.
"Although CBT advocates rarely make this claim so boldly, their continual emphasis on the amount of evidence is misunderstood by the public, other health care workers, and Government officials, a misunderstanding that they allow to stand without correction.
"The result is a widespread belief that no one takes responsibility for. In other words, a myth."
The experts said the belief has "direct negative consequences for other well-developed psychotherapies, such as person-centred and psychodynamic, which have smaller evidence bases than CBT".
They added: "These approaches are themselves supported by substantial, although smaller, bodies of research."
The scientists said a meta-analysis of more than 80 studies revealed that person-centred and psychodynamic therapies were just as effective as other forms, including CBT.
"In view of these and other data, it is scientifically irresponsible to continue to imply and act as though CBTs are more effective, as has been done in justifying the expenditure of £173m to train CBT therapists throughout England.
"Such claims harm the public by restricting patient choice and discourage some psychologically distressed people from seeking treatment."
Prof Cooper said studies suggested that it was not the therapy chosen but the client's level of motivation, participation and ability that made a difference.
"After that, the key ingredient seems to be the quality of the therapeutic relationship, with warm, understanding, trustworthy therapists having the best results."
Prof Bohart added: "There is evidence that some clients prefer an approach to counselling where the focus is on helping you explore and understand yourself.
"In contrast, other clients prefer an approach where the therapist takes the lead in teaching you particular cognitive and behavioural skills, such as how to think. Since both work about equally well it is important that both be available to the public."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "We are looking to improve our primary care preventions - that is why we launched a major new programme designed to help transform the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders earlier this year. This will train an extra 3,600 Psychological Therapists and offer greater access to Cognitive Behaviour Therapies.
"It is also crucial that a range of options are available to best suit the patient. For many people, prescribing medication is a successful treatment but psychological therapies have proved to be as effective as drugs in tackling these common mental health problems and are often more effective in the longer term.
"The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, which aims to improve individual's well-being, satisfaction and choice, has already captured the imagination of Primary Care Trusts up and down the country and is transforming the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders in the areas that have been involved so far."<<
My own position has always been that the promotion of CBT as some kind of new wonder-cure was motivated above all by the fact that it is cheaper than other talking therapies and crudely interpreted it shifts the blame onto the patient. I certainly don't deny that for some people it is enormously helpful - just as medication, other talking therapies/analysis/counselling can be not to mention social issues. Chanting my mantra
the fact is everyone needs to be treated as an individual and any one size fits all solution is not only wrong but can have appalling effects when applied to those whom it does not fit. But treating people as individuals is the most expensive option.Nick.
I was taught how to breath and relax, I told her I practised meditation but she ignored that. The second time seemed to be about pointing out the bleeding obvious to me, how that was going to help was beyond me. The third session I cut short after about twenty minutes. By this time I had psychosis and a very insistent voice was being extremely loud about the 'silly woman'. I have declined the rest of the course. Let someone who may get something from it occupy the psychologists time.