Psychotherapy: from Freud to cognitive science.

Med J Aust · 1991

review · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

A change in paradigm has occurred in psychotherapy. Dynamic psychotherapy has still not been shown to be better than placebo treatment or good clinical care. As harm can occur, patients should enter such therapy with caution. The cognitive behaviour therapies are newer and more efficient. They have been demonstrated to be better than placebo or good clinical care for anxiety and depression, and are of benefit in many less common disorders. Informative clinical trials are identified. Clinicians who treat patients with mental disorders should acquaint themselves with these techniques.