Cost-Effectiveness of Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (brief CBT) is a condensed form of CBT that integrates cognitive and behavioural therapies to improve individual’s mental well-being. While its effectiveness has been demonstrated in studies, the question of its cost-effectiveness remains. To address this, health economic evaluations are necessary. This chapter provides an overview of the fundamental concepts and methods of economic evaluation, covering various evaluation types, costing methods, outcome measurements, result presentation, and decision rules. The chapter also includes a review of studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of brief CBT for children, adolescents, and young adults, including research on one-day CBT and one-session treatment (OST). Finally, the chapter discusses the role of economic evaluation in informing health policy decision-making and offers suggestions for future economic evaluations of brief CBT.