The Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) here cites a number of meta-analyses which it recognizes as having “clearly demonstrated” the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in alleviating anxiety symptoms. According to these Guidelines, the effectiveness of CBT in the treatment of anxiety symptoms in general is on par with that of antidepressant drug treatment. This appears to be the case in both individual and group therapy settings. For Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) specifically, CBT is more effective than either placebo psychological treatment or no treatment at all.

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Citing a relative scarcity of research on the efficacy of CBT for GAD as compared to pharmacotherapy, Kristin Mitte conducted a meta-analysis of 65 controlled studies using a random-effects model to produce results that could be generalized beyond the selected studies. A “trim-and-fill analysis” was also conducted to correct for publication bias, several additional sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness of the selected studies, and methodological differences were controlled for. Studies utilizing new techniques in CBT such as mindfulness practices and interpersonal interventions were excluded due to insufficient research.

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