What We Know About Psychotherapies

Evidence summaries, guides, and updates—translated for clinical conversations.

Evidence summaries

Written by Prof. Pim Cuijpers, PhD, professor emeritus of clinical psychology at VU Amsterdam and director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions—and other field experts of the Metapsy collaboration.

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Does psychotherapy work?
Fundamentals

Does psychotherapy work?
If we don't know what mental disorders are, how can we still treat them?
Fundamentals

If we don't know what mental disorders are, how can we still treat them?
Does therapy take away the causes of mental disorders?
Fundamentals

Does therapy take away the causes of mental disorders?
Is the therapeutic alliance the most important part of therapy?
Fundamentals

Is the therapeutic alliance the most important part of therapy?
What makes randomized controlled trials the gold standard?
Fundamentals

What makes randomized controlled trials the gold standard?
Why does a treatment not work, while it is evidence-based?
What to expect

Why does a treatment not work, while it is evidence-based?
Can psychotherapy have negative effects?
What to expect

Can psychotherapy have negative effects?
Does therapy for depression help with other areas of life too?
What to expect

Does therapy for depression help with other areas of life too?
Are all psychotherapies equally effective?
Choosing a treatment

Are all psychotherapies equally effective?
Medication or psychotherapy for mental health problems?
Choosing a treatment

Medication or psychotherapy for mental health problems?
Is cognitive behavior therapy the best treatment for everyone?
Choosing a treatment

Is cognitive behavior therapy the best treatment for everyone?
Group or individual therapy?
Choosing a treatment

Group or individual therapy?
Is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy effective?
Choosing a treatment

Is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy effective?
Are psychological treatments effective in older adults?
Special populations

Are psychological treatments effective in older adults?
What to do when my partner does not want to get treatment?
Special populations

What to do when my partner does not want to get treatment?
Can I use AI as therapy for mental health problems?
Fundamentals

Can I use AI as therapy for mental health problems?
What can I do if therapy does not seem to work?
Next steps

What can I do if therapy does not seem to work?
What is Metapsy, and how do I use it?
Guide

What is Metapsy, and how do I use it?