Guests Jacquelyn Revere, Dr. Jonathan Shedler, Professor Bunmi Olatunji, and Dr. Nancy McWilliams discuss the effectiveness of therapy, exploring the efficacy of therapy through personal experiences, the power and limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the importance of finding a good therapist for personal growth.
The effectiveness of therapy depends on finding the right therapist and treatment approach for each individual, emphasizing the role of a therapeutic alliance and fit.
Different forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, have demonstrated positive results, highlighting the importance of exploring various approaches to find the most suitable one for each person.
Deep dives
Therapy and its Effectiveness
Therapy, as a potential solution to the rising mental health issues caused by the pandemic, has gained significant attention. However, the efficacy of therapy remains a question. Numerous people have reported mixed experiences, with some finding therapy helpful while others find it unhelpful. The importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit and creates a therapeutic alliance is emphasized. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one evidence-based therapy that has shown positive results for conditions such as anxiety and OCD. However, therapy is not a quick fix, and relapses can occur. Other forms of therapy, including psychodynamic therapy, have also shown promising results. Ultimately, the effectiveness of therapy depends on finding the right therapist and treatment approach for each individual.
Challenges in Assessing Therapy
The assessment of therapy's effectiveness has been a challenge due to limited research conducted in the early days of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysts initially did not prioritize formal studies as they witnessed the positive impact of therapy on patients. However, the emergence of randomized controlled trials and the focus on evidence-based treatments brought about changes, leading to more rigorous scientific research. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) emerged as an evidence-based treatment that demonstrated effectiveness in studies. Nonetheless, other forms of therapy, such as psychodynamic therapy, have also shown positive results in studies. While CBT has become dominant, a therapist's personality and the therapeutic alliance play crucial roles in therapy outcomes.
Finding the Right Therapist
One key factor in therapy success is finding a therapist who is a good fit. It is essential to assess the therapist's personality and establish a therapeutic alliance based on trust and comfort. While credentials are important, their impact is not as significant as the bond between therapist and client. Different types of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, can be effective, and it may require experimentation to find the most suitable approach. The role of therapy is not to provide a quick fix, but rather a supportive environment in which individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions to achieve personal growth and improvement.
Our mental health has taken a turn for the worse the past couple of years. We keep hearing that therapy can help, but it can be a big investment of time and money. So is it worth it? How often does therapy really help people? To find out, we talked to Jacquelyn Revere and psychologists Dr. Jonathan Shedler, Professor Bunmi Olatunji and Dr. Nancy McWilliams.
This episode was produced by Meryl Horn with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Nick DelRose, Michelle Dang, Taylor White, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Diane Kelly and Eva Dasher. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Marcus Bagala, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to the researchers we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Felicitas Rost, Dr. Bruce Wampold, Dr. David Taylor, Professor Julie Ancis, Professor Stefan, Hofmann, Dr. Erlanger Turner, Dr. Janee Steele, Professor Marvin Goldfried and Professor Elizabeth Lunbeck.