Psychotherapy: The Good, the Bad, and the Future

The Good. Psychotherapy works-the results of outcome studies conducted over the past 75 years reveal that individuals treated are better off compared to people on waitlists or not receiving treatment [1]. In fact, the effect size of therapy (.08) is on par or better than many medical interventions (Acute MI, CHF, Graves Hyperthyroidism, medication treated erectile dysfunction, stages II and III breast cancer, cataract surgery, acute stroke, etc. Psychotherapy is also cost-effective; results of studies reveal that participation in therapy results in reductions in inpatient stays, consultations with primary-care physicians, use of medications, care provided by relatives, and general health care expenditures by 60% to 90% [2,3].