In clinical psychology, the assessment of treatment efficacy is critical for predicting patient outcomes. Research on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) shows that it offers significant benefits for several disorders. However, effectiveness can hinge on numerous factors including the therapist's qualifications, patient engagement, and the specific disorder being treated. With these aspects in mind, consider the following methods and their evidence base in terms of effectiveness:
Which of the following treatment methods has been empirically supported as showing the greatest effectiveness for treating major depressive disorder in adults, particularly when considering data from randomized controlled trials?