No Stupid Questions 35. Does Psychotherapy Actually Work?
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Aug 17, 2025 The discussion kicks off with a fascinating study contrasting psychotherapy and cash transfers, revealing surprising insights into well-being. It dives deep into the complexities of therapy’s effectiveness, especially among low-income groups. Listeners explore the many selves we portray in different situations, highlighting identity's fluidity. The conversation also touches on the significance of the therapeutic relationship, questioning what truly fosters lasting mental health benefits. A quirky twist includes a light-hearted take on Dissociative Identity Disorder and the pandemic's ice cream scene.
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Context Matters For Therapy Effectiveness
- One Kenya trial found cash improved both economic and psychological outcomes while psychotherapy showed no measurable effect.
- Angela Duckworth argues one study in one context cannot overturn decades of therapy evidence and matching treatment to need matters.
Substantial Evidence Supports Psychotherapy
- Meta-analyses and many randomized controlled trials show psychotherapy reduces symptoms about half a standard deviation on average.
- Angela Duckworth says large bodies of experimental evidence support causal treatment effects beyond simple pre-post change.
CBT's Mechanism And Durability
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) grounds therapy in changing thoughts to change feelings and uses short, structured interventions with homework.
- Duckworth credits CBT with clear mechanisms and relatively durable benefits compared with other approaches.
