The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses.

Butler AC, Chapman JE, Forman EM, Beck AT

Clinical Psychology Review · January 1, 2006

A review of 16 methodologically rigorous meta-analyses of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) across psychiatric and medical conditions. Large effect sizes were found for CBT for unipolar depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with moderate effect sizes for marital distress, anger, childhood somatic disorders, and chronic pain. The authors conclude the evidence strongly supports the efficacy of CBT across a broad range of disorders, though note that in some areas evidence is still preliminary.

PMID: 16199119 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2005.07.003