Types of Therapy

While building a safe and secure therapeutic relationship, the therapist and patient work together to use times of challenge as an opportunity to explore and understand emotional reactions as well as the dynamics that influence our current circumstances. Working together, the therapist and patient uncover and embrace areas of strength and resiliency to move through crisis and into wellbeing.

Using mindfulness skills and understanding one’s core values and goals, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to allow people to stop exhausting themselves by continually fighting against circumstances over which they have little personal control. Instead, ACT encourages patients to stop struggling and move toward accepting challenges by building a life that aligns with their goals and values.

Art therapy is the embodiment of focusing on the process of health and wellbeing as opposed to just the end product. Using multiple modalities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting, art therapy uses the physical manifestations of one’s creations to understand better and explore internal experiences. It is common to use art therapy in conjunction with, or as an additional tool, in other treatment types.

Using technology that senses physiological reactions, such as heart rate, biofeedback provides insight into how our body reacts when experiencing different emotional states such as stress. By increasing awareness of the body’s response to these experiences, the goals become to recognize and change our physiological state to impact our emotional wellbeing. This can be achieved by practicing relaxation techniques and observing the physical effect it has on the body.

Brainspotting is used by therapists to track eye positions and map out areas of the body that hold trauma physically – usually experienced as tightness or pain in that area of the body. This is a trauma-focused treatment. The aim is to process memories and emotions while letting go of traumatic experiences, creating physical and emotional healing and restoration.

Breathwork is the practice of utilizing breathing exercises to increase mindful self-awareness. The goal of breathwork is to create wellbeing and increased conscious awareness through breathing techniques. Often these techniques involved developing awareness of one’s self and body, fostering a therapeutic, meditative experience.

Therapists who adopt and promote Buddhist philosophy in treatment often will incorporate mindfulness practices and an appreciation that suffering is part of the human experience. This, along with a focus on the present moment and the universality of human experience, appreciates that we are never alone in our suffering. We can be with it just as others have throughout human existence.

Career counseling is designed to help explore, guide and make career decisions at any stage of life. Whether entering the workforce, trying to advance in one’s current career, or switching career paths, a career counselor can provide guidance and help navigate career challenges through aptitude assessments, resources, advice, and networking connections. With a career counselor, patients explore potential career interests, job opportunities, and pathways toward meeting career goals.

Chairwork is an active healing and transformative type of psychotherapy that encourages patients to take different points of view and to speak from inner voices or selves to channel experiences from the past, present, or future. Chairwork can help patients better understand the point of view of others and identify and navigate unresolved internal conflicts and emotional problems, such as abandonment and abuse.

Child-parent psychotherapy is an intervention designed to treat children ages 0–5 who have experienced trauma, such as abuse, neglect, the death of a loved one, or exposure to domestic violence. This type of talk therapy focuses on the strength of the parent-child relationship. By prioritizing in-session, parent-child interactions, child-parent therapy encourages healthy coping and functioning, soothing and calming, emotional regulation, and back-and-forth interactions between the parent and child.

Client-centered therapy, also known as person-centered therapy, prioritizes the relationship between the client and therapist. By recognizing the therapeutic relationship, client-centered therapy promotes personal growth and encourages better mental health outcomes. As an approach that can be applied to children and adults in individual, couples, group, and family treatment settings, client-centered therapy is a powerful unifying force. It continues to shape the way most mental health professionals treat patients.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an active, skills-based treatment that focuses on the relationship between one’s thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. CBT is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, from anxiety and depression to relationship problems and substance abuse. With psychotherapists’ help, patients learn to identify problematic thinking and behavioral patterns, develop healthier behaviors, and work toward specific mental health goals.

Cognitive processing therapy, a type of trauma-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, focuses on teaching patients skills to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. With psychotherapists’ help, patients can modify upsetting and emotionally disruptive thoughts, improve day-to-day functioning, and navigate past trauma more healthily.

Couples counseling is a form of therapy that can help couples navigate relationship concerns, address current issues, and learn better, more effective communication skills. While some couples attend couples counseling to address urgent issues, others aim to build a stronger relationship or grow closer as a couple. The exact focus of couples counseling depends on the particular circumstances of a relationship and the therapist’s approach.

Dance movement therapy, a type of creative arts therapy, enables patients to explore themselves and communicate through bodily expression. DMT uses movement and dance to promote mental and physical wellbeing. By exploring and integrating movement and emotion, patients can develop a stronger sense of self, overcome challenges, and communicate more effectively.

Dialectical behavioral therapy, a skills-based approach to psychotherapy, incorporates aspects of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help patients accept their situation — especially when emotions are running high —  and work toward change. As an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health challenges, DBT typically involves individual talk therapy and group therapy sessions focusing on mindfulness, relationships, communication skills, and techniques to manage overwhelming emotions that would otherwise be destructive to relationships.

Drama therapy is an active and experiential treatment that allows patients to share their stories, set goals, express feelings, and navigate challenges. Drama therapy encourages patients to actively explore the depth and breadth of inner experience and emotions and improve interpersonal relationship skills.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, a trauma treatment based on physiological intervention, helps patients process distressing memories using the brain’s natural healing abilities. In addition to trauma, EDMR is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, ranging from depression and anxiety to eating disorders. With the help of a specially trained therapist, patients can productively approach difficult memories, reduce overwhelming feelings, and work toward emotional healing.

Emotionally focused couples therapy helps identify the attachment bonds in romantic relationships, understand emotions, and improve communication habits. As a somewhat structured form of couples counseling, this therapeutic approach focuses on emotion to help couples examine unhelpful communication habits and replace them with healthier habits. Emotionally focused couples therapy aims to help couples reduce stress and strengthen their romantic connection.

Equine-assisted therapy encourages patients to process emotions, navigate mental health challenges, and experience empathy through calming interactions with a horse. Although this type of treatment involves being near horses, it does not involve riding horses. Therapists who utilize equine-assisted psychotherapy are often equine specialists and trained mental health professionals.

Exposure and response prevention, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is most commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Through gradual and repeated exposure, patients learn to identify triggers, obsessive thoughts, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as compulsions, rituals, and avoidance. With the help of ERP, patients can face their fears and reduce anxiety while learning to employ healthier ways of coping.

Executive function coaching encourages patients to learn skills to better plan, organize, sustain attention, complete tasks, and manage emotions. With the help of a trained therapist, patients can effectively reduce procrastination, control distracting impulses, gain motivation, and form healthy habits to accomplish their goals.

Existential therapy focuses on universal aspects of the finite human condition and finding meaning through promoting self-awareness and exploring life’s experiences. Exploring challenging topics, including meaning, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, and death is common after a major milestone, trauma, or big life event. When contemplating these topics leads to feeling stuck or mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, working with a therapist can help patients achieve a deeper appreciation for life and psychological balance and well-being.

Family systems theory, a form of psychotherapy, views the family as a powerful emotional unit comprised of complex interactions that influence the wellbeing of the family members. This type of therapy views each person’s experiences and challenges within the context of the whole family system. With the help of a therapist, family members learn to identify and analyze patterns of interaction and behavior and learn strategies to communicate more effectively and interact more lovingly.

Functional medicine, a patient-oriented form of alternative treatment, adopts a holistic approach that looks at disease as a complex result of underlying genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle causes. Patients and practitioners work together to identify and understand the root causes of health problems and implement interventions targeted to promote health and wellbeing. The most appropriate personal treatment is selected based on the patient’s unique underlying causes.

Gestalt therapy focuses on helping patients understand their experiences in the present moment to increase self-awareness and achieve personal growth. In Gestalt therapy, the therapist engages the client in conversations and exercises to bring awareness to present behavioral, relational, and thought patterns, increasing the client’s understanding and acceptance of their immediate inner self.

The Gottman Method is a type of couples counseling that helps couples learn helpful ways to cope with relationship stressors, foster closeness, and create shared meaning. With the help of a specially trained therapist, partners can learn how to increase intimacy and respect, break down barriers, improve empathy, and stop communication patterns that foster conflict.

Habit reversal therapy, sometimes referred to as habit reversal training, is a type of behavioral therapy used to reduce repetitive behaviors associated with habit disorders. By increasing awareness of how and when urges—such as tics, skin picking, and nail-biting—develop, HRT helps patients learn to intervene and make changes, such as replacing the habit with healthier behavior.

Hakomi therapy involves a body-centered approach that focuses on mindfulness and the mind-body connection to increase awareness and connection with core beliefs. In Hakomi therapy, the body is considered a resource of information, such as memories and beliefs, that influence everyday thoughts, emotions, and actions. With the help of a therapist, patients are encouraged to tune in more deeply into their bodies to gain a deeper sense of self-understanding.

Health At Every Size (HAES) is a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach to health and wellbeing. HAES aims to strengthen an individual’s relationship with food by reducing the focus on weight and focusing on intuitive eating, body acceptance, and physical activity for health while maintaining respect for all body shapes and sizes.

Holistic therapy views the mind, body, and spirit as interdependent components of the “whole” person. By combining spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional approaches to wellbeing, this type of therapy can help patients develop an increased awareness and acceptance of all aspects of who they are. With the help of a holistic therapist, patients can work toward harmony, balance, and wellbeing.

Humanistic therapy utilizes self-awareness and thoughtful action to help patients realize their potential to choose and maintain healthy relationships and meaningful life experiences. Because humanistic therapies can help address a wide range of mental health challenges, many patients choose to work with a humanistic therapist to strengthen their connection to their inner wisdom and self-determination.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a deep, focused state of psychological, emotional, and physical relaxation. Hypnotherapy refers to the use of hypnosis in therapy to help patients navigate mental health challenges and work toward change. In hypnotherapy, specially trained therapists guide clients into a hypnotic state, encouraging clients to use their mind to manage difficult feelings and change unhealthy behaviors.

Imago relationship therapy (IRT) is a type of relationship and couples therapy that focuses on transforming conflict into healing and growth by finding ways to bond with one another. By integrating elements of psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy, IRT draws on a wealth of psychological approaches to help couples in any committed relationship experiencing relationship issues.

Infertility counseling is a form of psychotherapy that helps both couples and individuals navigate the stressful experience of infertility. Sometimes, stress surrounding infertility can lead to mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. By incorporating elements of couples counseling, infertility counseling can also help ease stress and reduce strains in relationships.

Internal family systems therapy, a type of talk therapy, increases self-awareness by exploring different “sub-personalities” or “parts” of the mind. In IFS, the Self is considered the core and the leader of different parts of the body and mind. It is thought that, by working with the Self, the injured parts of the mind and their dynamic can be rebalanced. With the help of a therapist, patients can better understand, engage, and reduce destructive parts of the mind to work toward self-compassion and self-leadership.

Interpersonal therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on relieving emotional suffering by improving the client’s interpersonal skills and strengthening social supports. In IPT, patients learn to identify their existing strengths and use them to foster positive, meaningful relationships. With the help of a therapist, patients can utilize their strengths, improve upon their communication skills, and gain a broader perspective on their thoughts through open and honest dialogue.

Jungian therapy, a type of in-depth, talk-based psychoanalytic therapy, focuses on exploring the self and mind to better understand sources of suffering and identify pathways to healing. During therapy, patients are encouraged to explore and bring together the conscious and unconscious aspects of their experience to deepen understanding and improve wellbeing. Jungian therapy aims to alleviate psychological and emotional suffering through the balance of unconscious and conscious awareness.

Life coaching, or wellness coaching, is a process designed to equip people with the tools, motivation, and inspiration to maximize their personal and professional potential. Clients typically seek the help of life coaches to help with specific goals, projects, or transitions. Instead of telling patients what to do, life coaches work with people collaboratively to develop individualized action plans and empower people to achieve their goals.

Marriage counseling, a type of therapy for couples in committed relationships, is designed to help partners address relationship concerns, navigate difficult conversations, and identify helpful problem-solving techniques. In marriage therapy, couples typically meet with a therapist once a week for several weeks or months. With the help of a couples counselor, partners can practice healthier methods of communication, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, deepen their emotional connection, and strengthen their relationship.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a type of therapy that combines aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices to help patients identify problematic thought patterns causing emotional pain. On the cognitive side, MCBT involves learning to change and recognize unhelpful thought patterns. On the mindfulness side, MCBT focuses on learning new perspectives and developing more accepting views of others and oneself. With the help of a therapist, patients can recognize how thought patterns influence their emotional experience and learn mindfulness techniques to work toward emotional wellness.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a therapeutic program that uses mindfulness practices as a tool to alleviate stress. In MBSR, the therapist guides patients as they explore the mind-body connection through meditation, dialogue, and mindful yoga and movement. MBSR focuses on cultivating a more accepting, less judgmental perspective to help patients connect with their inner resources for growing, coping, and healing. By teaching increased awareness and compassion, MBSR helps patients learn to be more present in the moment.

Mindfulness-informed therapy utilizes present moment awareness as a tool to help patients disengage from mental preoccupations and difficult emotions. Mindfulness therapy focuses on increasing self-awareness of present thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Through different exercises and activities, therapists help patients learn to observe themselves and the world in an open-minded, non-judgmental way.

Motivational interviewing is a person-centered therapy that focuses on helping patients clarify their goals and make concrete changes, typically regarding problematic substance use, addiction, and other behavioral challenges. With the help of a therapist, patients explore their goals, ambivalence for making changes, determine how to move forward, and consider reasons for change in a non-judgmental space.

Multicultural therapy focuses on how racial, cultural, and ethnic identities play a significant role in a patient’s life and the therapeutic process of healing. In multicultural therapy, the therapist works to identify and understand the difficulties patients experience from the unique perspective of their identities and culture. By taking the role of cultural factors into account, multicultural therapists offer an empathetic space to help patients address mental health challenges and explore cultural identity.

Music therapy involves the use of music within the therapy process to help the patient work toward emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual growth and healing. Music therapy combines instrumental and vocal improvisation, singing, songwriting, and listening to recorded music to promote growth and change.

Narrative therapy is a form of psychotherapy that views patients as the expert in their own lives to help them understand and reshape their experiences. Narrative therapy supports the idea that people’s challenges and identities come from multiple contexts, including their relationships and roles in the world. As the patient guides the conversation to areas of interest, the therapist encourages exploration, expansion, and deepening of self-understanding.

Non-directive play therapy, or child-centered play therapy, is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12. By creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for children to engage in play, therapists support the child’s natural tendency toward healing and wellness while encouraging growth and expression. Play therapy might seem simple on the surface, but it can be a powerful tool for children to navigate mental health issues in a professional setting.

Pastoral counseling integrates elements of traditional psychotherapy with spiritual or theological resources from a faith-based perspective. Pastoral counselors provide guidance to help patients draw on their religious traditions and beliefs and work toward health and healing. Pastoral counseling can be especially helpful for patients who have concerns about their spirituality or religious practice.

Positive psychotherapy focuses on improving wellbeing and functioning by increasing focus on the positive aspects of life and relationships. With the help of a therapist, patients can become more aware of their strengths, skills, and natural desire for growth and wellness. Positive psychotherapy aims to help patients build resilience and the resources to effectively cope with future challenges and stressors.

Premarital counseling is a specialized type of therapy that helps partners understand each others’ values, traditions, and goals before marriage. Premarital counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental space to help partners identify proactive strategies to work toward solutions and build a strong foundation going into marriage. With a therapist, you and your partner can decide how many therapy sessions to attend before the ceremony.

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management, alone or in combination with therapy, is an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. In most states, psychiatrists and mental health nurse practitioners perform evaluations and medication management. The way each medication reduces symptoms of different mental health conditions varies widely between individuals, and working with a psychiatrist can help you determine the best option for you. Before deciding whether or not to use medication to treat your mental health condition, be sure to explore treatment options with your mental health professional or primary care doctor.

Psychoanalysis, or psychoanalytic therapy, is a type of talk therapy that aims to understand how the unconscious mind influences thoughts and behaviors. Psychoanalysis assumes that negative emotions are the result of past experiences and that by uncovering and confronting them, patients can resolve the problems they’re causing. In psychoanalytic therapy, the therapist serves as a blank slate for the client by asking open-ended questions and avoiding therapist self disclosure. Instead of offering advice, the therapist’s job is to reflect on the client’s concerns and identify problematic patterns in thought and behavior. Most often psychoanalysis occurs several times per week.

Psychodynamic therapy assumes that thoughts and behaviors are influenced by the unconscious mind and past experiences. In psychodynamic therapy, patients work with therapists to identify unconscious factors that shape their current thoughts and behaviors and gain a deeper understanding of the unconscious mind. Unlike traditional psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy is often less time-intensive and typically conducted once weekly over several months rather than several years.

Rational emotive behavior therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that takes a practical approach toward changing unhelpful thought and behavioral patterns. With the help of a therapist, patients can identify and challenge irrational or inaccurate beliefs and replace them with more helpful thoughts to help patients achieve their goals and work toward mental wellbeing.

Relational therapy, also known as relational-cultural therapy, helps patients recognize the role of relationships in their wellbeing through a psychodynamic approach. Relational therapy focuses on the idea that an individual’s social world and relationships shape their identity. Consequently, maintaining good relationships is integral to wellbeing and self-esteem. With the help of a therapist, patients can identify and explore how they interact with others, develop more helpful ways of interacting and strengthen relationships.

Sand tray therapy is a nonverbal, therapeutic approach that allows patients to create pictures from sand, water, and objects. By encouraging patients to create meaningful scenes that represent their inner experience, sand tray therapy enables patients to communicate their thoughts and feelings without having to find the right words. Sand tray therapy promotes self-awareness, growth, and healing, especially among children and patients with PTSD.

Schema therapy is a cognitive and behavioral approach that views emotional suffering as a result of learned unhealthy coping mechanisms based on past life experiences. Schema therapy aims to help patients become more aware of problematic patterns of thinking and behaving that contribute to mental health challenges. This type of therapy can help patients identify their emotional needs and learn how to meet them through self-care, mindfulness, and supportive relationships.

Sensorimotor therapy, a body-centered talk therapy, combines awareness of the body with the processing of thoughts and feelings related to difficult or traumatic experiences. This type of therapy aims to help patients gain a sense of safety in their body when faced with reminders of past trauma. With the help of a therapist, patients can gain awareness of physical sensations in the body and utilize mindfulness techniques to calm the body.

Sex therapy is a specialized type of therapy that focuses on treating concerns surrounding sex, sexual function, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction from a psychological perspective. With the help of a therapist, patients can improve communication habits, better understand the mind-body connection as it pertains to sexuality, and address any mental health conditions that may arise from sexual concerns.

Solution-focused therapy is a short-term, guided, conversational approach that helps patients understand and work toward specific goals to alleviate suffering. During solution-focused therapy, the therapist and patient work collaboratively to generate workable solutions using the patient’s skills and strengths. The goal of solution-focused therapy is to help find quick relief from psychological distress.

Somatic psychotherapy is a body-centered approach to healing that incorporates the conversational aspect of therapy with each individual’s body movements. By exploring the relationship between the mind and body and past experiences, somatic therapy helps individuals identify and challenge problematic patterns, release bodily tension and emotions, and overcome past trauma.

Sports psychology is a specific branch of psychology devoted to supporting the wellbeing and performance of athletes. Sports can play an important role in one’s life, offering unique opportunities to work toward goals, form meaningful relationships, and find supportive communities. Sports psychology can cover sports participation in a wide range of settings, from amateur athletes in recreational settings to Olympians and professional athletes.

Strength-based therapy focuses on highlighting the positive aspects of patients’ character rather than their problems or weaknesses. While patients might identify and work on problems during strength-based therapy, this approach draws on what’s going well in life and figuring out how to leverage that for continued growth. With the help of a therapist, patients can build resilience and boost self-awareness through the exploration of strengths and inner resources.

Supportive psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy that relies on the patient and therapist’s therapeutic working relationship to reduce symptoms, boost self-esteem, and reinforce the ability to cope with stressors and challenges. With the help of a therapist, patients can express their thoughts and feelings and set goals toward healing and wellbeing while preserving the client’s voice, authority, and agency.

Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) use the gentle tapping of fingers on acupressure meridians to resolve energy imbalances and promote physical and emotional healing. EFT is often likened to a psychological version of acupuncture, and it assumes that applying pressure to particular points can release negative emotions and reduce problematic feelings. In EFT, the therapist coaches the patient to develop mind and body awareness, healthful thought strategies, and self-tapping sequences that support the natural healing process.

Transpersonal therapy utilizes a holistic approach to personal growth with particular attention to a healthy spirit in the process of healing. This type of therapy focuses on the patient’s mental, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and creative needs to work toward healing and growth. Utilizing mindfulness and creative techniques, therapists can build an authentic, honest relationship with the patient to create a shared consciousness where healing can take place.

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy is a time-limited therapy designed for children and adolescents experiencing the emotional effects of trauma. It involves identifying and exploring unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about traumatic events, including guilt and shame. By learning about trauma and teaching healthy coping skills, TF-CBT helps young people and their caregivers process trauma and develop a sense of strength and security to navigate the healing process.

Yoga therapy involves the application of yoga to improve wellbeing and promote relaxation. Yoga therapy is a holistic approach to treating mental and/or physical health challenges through individualized physical, psychological, and spiritual healing practices. By addressing the mind, body, and emotions, yoga therapy can help patients strengthen their awareness and manage symptoms.