10 Types of Therapy: All About Different Types of Therapy

The American Psychological Association (APA) describes therapy (short for psychotherapy) as a service a therapist or psychotherapist provides. These mental health professionals diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral issues.

In the United States, therapists hold certifications from a state board. They help individuals, couples, family members, and groups work through issues. This usually involves asking a lot of questions about past and present experiences. For this reason, another name for “therapy” is “talk therapy.” The ultimate goal of therapy is to assist the patient in determining a treatment plan that will help them work through their mental health conditions and achieve personal growth.

It is essential to find the right therapy because you want a therapist who can serve your needs (and works with your health care plan) and give you the tools you need to grow. Different therapists specialize in various practices, making preliminary research an essential part of therapy. It is important when you’re meeting a new therapist to determine whether they can help you address what you want to address in future sessions.

If you are coping with obsessive-compulsive disorders, for example, it is best to research therapists who specialize in or at least have experience treating that issue. If you seek better mindfulness and emotional regulation, a more general therapist might be suitable for ongoing discussions about your lifestyle and habits.

When choosing between in-person and online therapy, it is up to you to decide what kind of sessions you prefer. A positive aspect of online therapy is it can expose you to therapists who might be outside your geographic area or health care network. This can open up the kind of care you receive and how frequently you receive it.

Some people prefer in-person engagement when it comes to their wellness, especially if in group therapy or specialized individual therapy. Given how client-centered therapy is, you should shoot for what is best for your well-being and then determine which health services are available to you through your insurance plan. Then you can make an informed decision.

There are many different types of therapy. Examples include:

1. 1. Art therapy: This common therapy gives patients a healthy way to express their feelings. By channeling emotions into visual art pieces, patients can soothe themselves via the creative process, and therapists can look deeper into their patients’ psyches.
2. 2. Cognitive behavioral therapy: A therapist who practices cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients identify faulty or distorted ways of thinking at the root of psychological issues. The therapist guides the patient through identifying specific thought patterns and cognitive distortions and teaches them coping strategies so they can overcome them. CBT can be helpful to patients with eating disorders, among other issues.
3. 3. Dialectical behavior therapy: DBT is a more intensive form of cognitive therapy focused on problem-solving skills. This type of therapy is for clients with more extreme difficulties, such as borderline personality disorder or negative thoughts that tend toward self-harm.
4. 4. Emotionally focused therapy: EFT is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy that examines how emotions play into relationships and thought processes. This therapy can help with self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and broken family or friend relationships.
5. 5. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy: US psychologist Francine Shapiro developed EMDR, which employs specific eye movements to help diminish negative thoughts. Such motions help patients tap into unresolved conflicts or difficult memories, giving the therapist the tools to carve a path toward healing and betterment. EMDR is for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder or panic attacks.
6. 6. Family therapy: This form of therapy focuses on families in distress. Blended families or families coping with the aftermath of a divorce might find this therapy helpful. Sometimes children attend their own therapy sessions, or professionals might encourage play therapy to help a child open up. Couples therapy is a form of family therapy that helps parents or partners with communication issues or sexual drive issues.
7. 7. Gestalt therapy: German psychiatrist Frederick S. Perls developed this therapeutic practice that builds self-awareness by examining a patient’s state in that exact moment. Gestalt therapy might rely on role-playing or reenactments to help a patient understand how previous events influenced their current habits.
8. 8. Humanistic therapy: Analysis is less important than experience in humanistic therapy. Practicing acceptance and role-playing can lead to personal development and the discovery of one’s true self.
9. 9. Narrative therapy: Also known as narrative practice, narrative therapy is an empowering form of psychotherapy that encourages people to talk to therapists about issues and life stories as narratives. The goal of using narrative therapy techniques is to externalize and separate matters from the client’s identity.
10. 10. Psychodynamic therapy: Also known as psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy focuses on the client’s unconscious thoughts and beliefs and how they affect conscious behavior. It requires a close therapeutic relationship between the patient and the practitioner to illuminate truths about how the patient interacts with others in everyday life.

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