Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Described as a Sticking Plaster

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been described as a ‘sticking plaster’ for the problems that people may bring to counselling (Observer, 19/02/06). With reference to the literature, critically evaluate the arguments for and against this view.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a combination of two kinds of therapy; cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy (Bush, 2005). It has been shown to have a positive impact on a wide range of mood and anxiety disorders, such as depression, insomnia and panic attacks as well as more recently psychosis (schizophrenia).

However, whether or not CBT actually solves the issue at hand or simply covers it up, as a “sticking plaster” (Martin & Helmore, 2006) has recently been a topic of discussion. This has arisen from psychotherapists whom believe that CBT and it’s effects are unproven whereas psychotherapy has been around for over a century and worked well for this duration of time, and thus must be better, despite the lack of evidence available. To quote Holmes (2002), “Absence of Evidence is not Evidence of absence”. This debate is of high political importance as although psychotherapy has been around for longer, this should not be the leading factor in the debate. People’s quality of life is what should be considered and if there is a therapy which will highly improve this then it should seriously be taken into consideration.

CBT does have it’s advantages over other forms of therapy. It is