How Effective Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression? The Latest Scientific Answers from the Largest Meta-Analysis to Date
- Health Communicator
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 10
What Patients Should Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression – The Latest Expert Evaluation
Depression affects hundreds of millions of people around the world and is among the leading causes of reduced quality of life, premature death, and economic burden. Treatment often includes medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both—but one of the most widely discussed methods remains Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In 2023, a large and authoritative meta-analysis was published (“Cognitive behavior therapy vs. control conditions, other psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and combined treatment for depression”), which pooled results from 409 randomized clinical trials with over 52,000 patients. This analysis provides comprehensive answers to some of the most important questions patients and their loved ones may have.
In the following expert insights, drawn from and commented on based on this meta-analysis, you’ll find answers to key questions: How effective is CBT? Is it comparable to medication? How does it compare with other types of therapy? What are the outcomes for different groups—children, adults, people with other medical conditions? Does it matter if it’s delivered online or as a self-help intervention? Here’s what the researchers say.
