What are the limitations of CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has several limitations, particularly in treating serious or severe cases of disorders such as binge eating. One key limitation is that the improvements achieved with CBT often depend on continued therapy. Without ongoing treatment, many patients may revert to their previous behaviors. This indicates that while CBT can be effective, its effects may not always be long-lasting without continual engagement in the therapeutic process 1.

In another discussion, while comparing treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Andrew Huberman pointed out that although CBT is highly effective for many patients, it does not alleviate symptoms for everyone. It also demands significant time and financial investment, as it generally requires frequent sessions over an extended period 2. Additionally, most people with OCD do not seek evidence-based treatments like CBT due to reasons such as stigma and accessibility 3.