A Comparative Analysis of Psychotherapeutic Modalities: Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy versus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Treating Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

This study examines the efficacy of two leading psychotherapeutic approaches—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—in the context of treating anxiety disorders. Utilizing a mixed-method design, we sampled participants diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and employed standardized assessment tools to evaluate symptom reduction. Our findings reveal that while both modalities demonstrate significant effectiveness, CBT exhibits a more pronounced immediate impact on symptom alleviation, whereas ACT fosters greater long-term resilience. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse regarding optimized therapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders, underscoring the necessity for personalized treatment approaches in clinical psychology.