According to a new study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy, research has demonstrated that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has long-term effectiveness for adults with anxiety disorders. The current study sought to examine the immediate and long-term effectiveness of CBT treatment within a naturalistic, outpatient setting. Participants (n=181) included individuals with the primary diagnoses of OCD, GAD, social phobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and specific phobia who had received at least 3 (and on average 14) CBT sessions with a therapist, using CBT interventions exclusively, in an outpatient, fee-for-service setting. At post-treatment, 113 participants (62%) were identified as “responders” or “remitters” (i.e., much or very much improved). Of these, 87 participants (77%) maintained their status as “responders” or” remitters” at one-year follow up. These findings suggest CBT outcomes for anxiety disorders among clinic patients are effective in both the short- and long-term.
DiMauro, J., Tolin, D. F., Domingues, J., & Fernandez, G. (2013). Long-term effectiveness of CBT for anxiety disorders in an adult outpatient clinic sample: A follow-up study. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 2, 82-86.