Key Meta-Analyses & Systematic Reviews

Therapy Efficacy Meta-Analyses

Cuijpers et al. (2025). “The efficacy of psychotherapy for depression: An updated meta-analysis.” JAMA Psychiatry.
- Finding: CBT, psychodynamic, interpersonal, and behavioral therapies all show moderate-to-large effects for depression
- No significant differences between modalities at post-treatment; psychodynamic shows better durability at follow-up
Leichsenring et al. (2017). “Psychodynamic therapy: As efficacious as other empirically supported treatments.” American Journal of Psychiatry.
- Finding: Psychodynamic therapy equivalent to CBT for target symptoms
- Equivalence confirmed at post-treatment and follow-up
Wampold & Budge (2024). “The great psychotherapy debate: Evidence, mechanisms, and implementation.” Routledge.
- Finding: Common factors explain more variance than specific techniques
- Therapeutic alliance is the strongest predictor of outcome

Carpenter et al. (2025). “Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. control conditions for anxiety.” JAMA Psychiatry.
- CBT shows large effects for anxiety disorders (d = 0.85-1.2)
Hofmann et al. (2024). “The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy.” Clinical Psychology Review.
- ACT shows moderate-to-large effects across multiple conditions
Bullis et al. (2025). “Dialectical behavior therapy: A meta-analytic review.” Behavior Therapy.
- DBT shows large effects for self-harm and moderate effects for other outcomes

Stallard et al. (2025). “Psychological treatments for PTSD in children and adolescents.” Cochrane Database.
- TF-CBT and trauma-focused CBT show large effects for youth PTSD
Johansson & Andersson (2024). “Internet-delivered CBT for PTSD: A meta-analysis.” Journal of Traumatic Stress.
- Internet-delivered CBT shows moderate effects for PTSD

Kazantzis et al. (2024). “The role of homework in psychotherapy outcomes.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
- Homework compliance is associated with better outcomes (r = 0.25)