CBT has been found to be very effective in many areas, e.g. depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, and some forms of addiction – if they are not acute.
Because adolescents’ brains are growing and developing, CBT can be very helpful in moderating aggression and addressing challenging behaviour in teens. Psychiatrists who are treating depression and anxiety will often recommend CBT in combination with prescribed medication. And as far as I am aware, CBT is one of the few non-medical-model disciplines in which psychiatrists are required to be trained.
Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy and similar methods of supporting people are all off-shoots of CBT – and all work well in solving problems like those described above and easing people’s distress.
And CBT does seem to make sense! After all, if we are rewarded, we do more of something.
If we then cognitively acknowledge this using the mighty power of our brain, and proactively apply it in our life we can change our world for the better. This is what, within normal development trajectory, happens at 2 or 3 years of age, when a child has a tantrum to get something he wants but slowly learns that instant gratification is not possible in the real world. (It is necessary to remember here that this happens within the context of good enough, loving, secure family relationships).
The principles of CBT are actually the basis of most formal mainstream education, employment, promotion, overall success in life etc.
In addition to relief of distress it can be used very successfully in training people to perform well under pressure, in sports, developing good living habits, dieting, healthy eating etc.