We've been testing therapy like it's a pill, and some patients are paying the price

Article excerpt

Cognitive behavioral therapy dominates mental health care across public and private systems, in the UK's NHS, Australia's Medicare, and beyond, yet this standardization comes with costs. Researchers warn that CBT, increasingly delivered in short, manualized formats that prioritize quick symptom reduction over deeper healing, may help some patients while leaving others worse off. The therapy-as-pill approach, designed for efficiency and measurable outcomes, risks overlooking individual needs and therapeutic nuance. Critics argue that the push for evidence-based, cost-effective treatments has narrowed options and potentially harmed vulnerable patients seeking more personalized care.