CBT is generally a short-term therapy, in which, for example, 12 sessions are evaluated. If there is no or insufficient effect, scale up to step 2 kwa therapy intensity. This is called 'stepped care'. This principle was devised on the basis of scientific research into cost-effectiveness. It is unnecessary and impossible to use the heaviest theories for everyone, often many people have already been helped with a small correction of their negative thoughts through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CGT). For example, one learns to collect evidence before and against certain beliefs, thus debunking certain fears. The thought can be reversed, and with it the emotion that will make one feel better again. For many clients, this is enough, making Cognitive Behavioral Therapy a great first step for people who have never needed therapy before.
Regular bending of thoughts/fears/emotions by challenging CBT can counteract complaints, but sometimes fears and/or negative thoughts and emotions continue to play out where the interventions of CBT can sometimes resemble symptom reduction. The underlying cause will not be addressed or insufficiently addressed. In that case, more needs to be done, this is also possible in principle with an experienced CBT therapist. CBT elements are also incorporated in IST
DP. However, most ISTDP therapists will not have noticed that they quickly achieved powerful effects in many clients who did not progress with CBT. Clients often give this back because they immediately notice the difference. The question remains, of course, which clients these are, and which clients the ISTDP therapist does not see when they may already have been well helped with CBT.
Nevertheless, as an ISTDP therapist you can get suspicions about the seemingly strongly curative mechanism of action, given the visible loss of the underlying cause in ISTDP treatments : something that does not always seem to succeed (completely) in CBT or even SFT therapy. Of course, the effectiveness can also vary per practitioner, which is of course also the case with ISTDP.
However, ISTDP is keen to be compared to other therapies in scientific research, for example there are signs of strong effectiveness in therapy-resistant depression. See also the page 'Scientific research'.
Nb. If you are on the waiting list for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, this is often a great first step where you can usually go relatively quickly. You are always free to try ISTDP to be able to compare what suits you better, it is recommended to register for multiple treatments given the waiting lists.