Javier Jiménez
Senior WriterHead of science, health, and environment at Xataka. Methodologist turned communicator, I write about science, ideas and social change.
Since the 1970s, hundreds of studies have examined the effects of psychotherapy on depression, using different approaches and experimental designs. Researchers have persisted, conducting more studies than ever.
This has led to two key findings: First, psychotherapy is effective. Second, its effectiveness hasn’t improved in 50 years.
How is this possible? Pim Cuijpers, professor emeritus of clinical psychology at the University of Amsterdam, and his team analyzed 562 randomized controlled trials from the past five decades—the highest-quality studies available, though not as high as they should be, according to the researchers.
The data covered 66,361 patients, mostly U.S. adults but also a significant number from other countries. The team then evaluated the interventions and outcomes.
What did they find? Psychotherapy works. The researchers confirmed that “the evidence that psychotherapies are effective is solid and growing.” The real surprise?
Despite decades of research, they found “no evidence that the effects of [psychological depression] therapies have improved.” None. The effectiveness of these treatments has remained remarkably stable over time.
Where does that leave psychotherapy? In a paradox. As benzodiazepine use continues to rise, psychotherapy remains an effective alternative—but its impact isn’t improving.
We have a tool but can’t scale it. And as depression rates climb, we need more resources—resources that, despite growing concern, have been scarce since the financial crisis.
The real question is no longer, “Where are we failing?” or “Why aren’t we improving?” but rather, “How can we do this better?” Finding an answer is urgent.
Image | Paola Chaaya (Unsplash)
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