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Why CBT Doesn’t Work? Our Explanation

One of the most well-liked treatments available is CBT. However, not everyone experiences success with it. CBT, short for cognitive behavioral therapy, is a treatment that focuses on the relationship between your ideas and your behavior.

There is a very strong possibility that your therapist is using cognitive behavioral therapy with you if you recently began treatment for symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Opinions made are our own and are unrelated to affiliate partnerships with online therapy brands such as BetterHelp. We may receive compensation from BetterHelp, as a BetterHelp affiliate, via purchases from services shown on this website.

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Price Comparison CBT In-Person vs. Online

The cost of CBT may vary significantly based on whether you’re doing it in person at a therapist’s office or online.

In-person therapy sessions can cost upwards of $100, whereas online sessions like those provided by BetterHelp cost less than $100.

Traditional Therapy BetterHelp
$100 and $250 each session

$60 and $90 per week (one session)

$240 and $360 per month (four sessions)

why cbt doesn't work

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a potent and adaptable type of psychological treatment. A ton of research supports its effectiveness in treating a wide range of issues, such as trauma, anxiety, pain, and depression.

The foundation of CBT is the idea that your bodily sensations, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are interrelated. Furthermore, unfavorable feelings and ideas can keep you in a vicious cycle.

By dividing large problems into smaller ones, CBT seeks to help you cope with them more constructively. You are shown how to alter these unfavorable tendencies to feel better.

CBT addresses your current difficulties rather than concentrating on problems from the past, in contrast to certain other talking treatments. If CBT is suggested, you would typically meet with a therapist once per week or every two weeks.

The typical length of the in-person treatment program is 5 to 20 sessions, each lasting 30 to 60 minutes. If you cannot attend in-person therapy, you can always opt for virtual platforms such as BetterHelp.
With BetterHelp, you can collaborate with your therapist throughout the sessions to evaluate your issues into their component elements. You and your therapist will examine these areas to see whether they are unrealistic or harmful.

What Does CBT Treat?

It works best when you actively participate in therapy and make decisions. Make sure the primary concerns and your therapist’s approach to them are both in agreement. You two can decide on objectives and monitor your progress over time.

To treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) could be recommended.

For issues with your physical health, CBT may also be recommended. This applies if you also have a physical health issue and a mental health issue.

Many mental health issues and experiences commonly treated with CBT include:

  • Anger Issues
  • Anxiety Attacks
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Panic Attacks
  • Issues With Alcohol or Drugs
  • Insomnia
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • (OCD)
  • Phobias
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • (PTSD)
  • Psychosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Stress

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Benefits of CBT

People need to be informed of the various competitive therapy modalities available today to help them deal with their emotional anguish and life’s challenges.

When you have grown up in invalidating situations without positive role models or useful life management skills, such CBT skills perform miracles and are simple to use in a short period of time.

Through active coaching, CBT assists and develops problem-solving skills. When used alone or in conjunction with other therapies, CBT may be a very effective method for treating mental health illnesses.

Anyone may benefit from using CBT as a technique to acquire coping strategies for stressful life events. Numerous conditions are treated under this therapy.

People with psychological issues can acquire more effective coping mechanisms to deal with these flawed thought processes and harmful habits.
For instance, you can view things differently and make decisions you would not usually make if you are under a lot of stress at work. However, the ability to alter these thinking and behavior patterns is still another crucial CBT idea.

It is frequently the favored kind of psychotherapy since it may swiftly assist you in recognizing and resolving particular difficulties.

Why CBT Doesn’t Work?

The foundation of CBT is the notion that your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are intertwined. In other words, your actions might be influenced by how you feel and think about something.

Not everyone finds CBT to be beneficial. It is crucial to avoid placing responsibility on yourself if you try something and it does not work.

Depending on the type of therapy mediums you have chosen, you could consider asking for advice on what to do if treatment is not working and the appropriate therapeutic alternatives. Your therapist can lack knowledge of efficient training, experience, and methods.

You should not think that a therapist is inevitably a good or successful therapist for you simply because they claim to be competent with CBT. Let your therapist know if you are hesitant to discuss some topics because of upsetting feelings or concerns about their reaction.

If one agrees with this concept, some professionals may disregard the other causes of mental diseases. Additionally, CBT frequently suggests altering mental habits.

On the other hand, CBT is ineffective in treating schizophrenia and has little impact on depression. According to research, CBT is unsuccessful at preventing bipolar illness relapses.

Your condition may not be cured, and CBT may not always make a bad situation go away. However, it can offer you the strength to handle your circumstances healthily and improve how you feel about yourself and your life.

Furthermore, it could be tempting to skip treatment appointments if you are depressed or lacking motivation. By skipping therapy, you may not be able to get an effective outcome. Attend every meeting and consider the topics you wish to raise.

How Can BetterHelp’s CBT Therapy Help?

People get tired of staying on the waiting lists for weeks and resort to online platforms due to the surge in mental health difficulties.

The most recommended online platform is BetterHelp. BetterHelp is among our top choices for the best online counseling program because you can message your therapist anytime, it’s video sessions, financial aid, and convenience.

Furthermore, BetterHelp has the widest selection of providers because of its enormous network of therapists. A master’s degree or above and at least three years of experience are requirements for employment with BetterHelp.

Additionally, BetterHelp makes it simple to transfer counselors if you do so, unlike other online treatment services. BetterHelp’s therapists deliver CBT sessions through the internet, and they will be just as effective as in-person meetings.
CBT is an effective treatment that may assist you in teaching your brain to think more positively, whether you engage with an online therapist or a local expert. Once you have learned and put these tactics into practice, you will notice that you are less worried and sad.

Look through BetterHelp’s network of online counselors to locate the right therapist who can assist you in putting these cognitive behavioral approaches into practice.

Final Thoughts?

CBT has some validity as a method to treat the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, but it is not always that simple. CBT is significantly more directed as an evidence-based treatment and comes with a toolset of actions and logs.

CBT encourages potential false assumptions. CBT fosters the idea that your flawed or illogical thought processes are to blame for unhelpful behavior and psychological issues.

BetterHelp is one of the most well-known and well-liked online treatment providers. It is a reasonably priced online therapy provider and user-friendly that will meet the needs of many people.

Tom Chen

Passionate about mental health, I decided to start my own blog to share my experiences and discuss we can improve our mental well-being in simple ways.