Hi Russ...thanks for bringing this to our collective attention. I had read this article when it came out and found it quite interesting. I actually used it in discussion with someone who told me that psychodynamic therapy is a thing of the past and that it should all be CBT going forward as the studies all point to it's efficacy. I begged to differ and tried to explain that in some disorders it could actually be harmful or cause difficulties in the therapy.

How are you doing?

TN

Hi TN,

I'm hanging in there. Thanks for asking!

I heard an interview with the study's author recently and was very impressed. He's not out to dismiss CBT or any other kind of therapy, he just presents the data that he's found. However, I do completely agree with his thoughts about the insurance industry shaping mental health issues to fit their bottom line agenda; namely, calling short-term therapies "evidence based" while dismissing other kinds of therapy that might exceed what they're willing to cover.

Hope you're well,
Russ

Thanks for posting this, Russ. I wasn't aware of this study. This is reassuring and validates my personal experience with different types of therapy.

I recently ended therapy with a CBT practitioner and started seeing a psychodynamic psychologist. I felt like I had done everything I was supposed to in my CBT "study" (all the books, the worksheets, the videos, etc.), I was a good little student, and I did feel a lot better for a while... but then the depression came back.

I realize now that it was the "relationship" that developed with my P that was the most helpful to me. Then he ran out of CBT tricks to pull out of his hat, and got frustrated with me I think. Then the "relationship" went sour and the therapy was no longer helpful; it was actually starting to stress me out more than my original problems.

The new psychodynamic therapist said that CBT is like a course. You study and follow all the steps, and then in 12 sessions or whatever, it's done and you end. The problem is that a lot of us need more than that. A lot more.

There is a saying that goes something like that: what poisoned you, will cure you.

It's the relationship that poisoned us in the past, so it's the relationship that can reverse the effect.

Where I live therapy is not covered by the insurance at all, but I guess it is also not as expensive as in the US. Therefore I guess there is no pressure from the health insurance market to train specifically CBT therapists who will be eligible to contract with insurance company.
On the other hand seeing a therapist is not as common as across the water I guess and perhaps there is no so many therapists here.

The thing is that most people seeking professional help would not have a clue what is CBT, what is psychodynamic, and what is the difference. You don't know what therapy is untill you try it. I knew that there is a possibility of developing feelings for the person who listens to you so attentatively, but I was convinced that this should be avoided with all means to make the therapy work and focus on the "study".

I like that saying, too, Amazon. I also like:

"The past isn't dead, it's not even past." - William Faulkner

...and...

"We may be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us." - Bergen Evans

echo, you're most welcome. I'm glad people are finding it interesting.