This study presents the one-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH) for individuals with subclinical depression and anxiety. In the original trial conducted by Çınaroğlu and colleagues (2024), 43 participants completed 12 sessions of CBT or EH. Both interventions led to significant symptom reductions compared to a waitlist control group (p < .001). Post-treatment BDI-II scores were CBT = 12.3, EH = 11.8, Control = 20.8; BAI scores were CBT = 11.2, EH = 10.6, Control = 21.2. Effect sizes were large for both conditions (BDI: CBT d = 2.10; EH d = 2.25).
Participants were reassessed at 6 and 12 months using the same measures. One control participant was lost at 6 months; one additional control and one CBT participant dropped out by 12 months. Three control participants received delayed CBT, and two EH participants sought additional informal support. At the 6-month point, EH participants continued to show lower anxiety levels (BAI M = 11.1), while CBT participants maintained stronger outcomes in depression (BDI M = 12.7). By 12 months, mild symptom increases were observed in both groups, consistent with everyday stressors, but scores remained significantly below baseline levels (p < .001). CBT outcomes for depression remained relatively stable (M = 13.1), while EH outcomes for anxiety showed a slight upward trend (M = 13.7).
These findings highlight the sustained impact of brief, structured interventions for subclinical distress. EH may offer early advantages in anxiety relief, while CBT may provide more enduring effects on depression. The results support the clinical value of scalable, time-limited approaches for early mental health intervention and emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring even in non-diagnosed populations.