Cognitive behavioural therapy disadvantages are often overlooked, and this is because of the hype that this treatment method has already received. CBT therapy does have a few limitations, and it can be challenging to use the treatment across a spectrum of disorders.
What are the Disadvantages of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?
CBT disadvantages, contrary to popular understanding, are quite varied. This is primarily because people do not consider the pitfalls. Some of the most common side effects of cognitive behavioural therapy you should know about are:
Time Constraints
The nature of cognitive behavioural therapy is unique. One of the key considerations for this therapy is that an individual typically needs to attend 6 to 15 sessions. Very few sessions comprise more than 20 sittings. As such, cognitive behavioural therapy might not be an ideal option for those who are dealing with chronic disorders. This time frame is too limited to deal with psychotic symptoms, which need more time and attention.
For any therapeutic relationship to blossom and get to a complete rapport formation stage, it is crucial to spend time. Given the limited number of sessions, cognitive behavioural therapy allows therapists to dedicate only a couple of sessions to the initial relationship formation. This can have a negative effect and lead to faulty relationship building.
Too Much Focus on Self-Reported Data
The basic tenet of cognitive behavioural therapy requires the therapist to collect all possible information from the client. This means the therapist has to rely completely on the patient and this can lead to problems with data accuracy. It often happens that clients are not fully aware of their thoughts and this can lead to the distortion of verbatims.
Furthermore, another common phenomenon among the side effects of cognitive behavioural therapy is that individuals want to be liked by the therapist. Consequently, they keep on concealing information or sharing very limited ideas only. This can impact the efficacy of the CBT process.
Not Much Dependence on Interpersonal Relationships
Cognitive behavioural therapy, at its core, puts a lot of emphasis on the individual and the thoughts that surround the individual. Hence, there is a lack of dependency on interpersonal relationships, which can ultimately lead to unwanted stress. There are instances when an individual has to talk more about the person around them.
However, cognitive behavioural therapy does not allow much focus on interpersonal dynamics. Not addressing interpersonal relationships can often lead to incomplete goal accomplishment.
Not Appropriate for Serious Mental Complications
There are instances when individuals are dealing with highly serious mental complications such as schizophrenia or identity disorder. In such cases, one can't apply cognitive behavioural therapy methods or treat the individual without any kind of medication.
In cases of trauma or even complex phobias, cognitive behavioural therapy does not allow much scope. This limited intervention module often hinders CBT’s efficacy and makes it unsuitable for serious mental health complications.
Conclusion
CBT side effects are quite a few and yet it can be effective if you are in the right hands. Cognitive behavioural therapy is often covered by your health insurance policy; hence, secure a policy if you haven’t and reap the many benefits it brings.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.