Different Types of Therapy

There are many types of therapy, and therapists will often be trained in several different approaches. You might try a combination of these approaches with your therapist. You might find that one approach works better for you, and that might change over time. One approach might work for you with one therapist but not with another. It’s important to keep trying new things and be open to them so long as you trust the therapist you’re working with. You may never have considered play therapy, and it might feel silly at first, but it might end up being incredibly helpful for you and cause some big breakthroughs.

Here are some of the common approaches you’ll see:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps you change unhelpful ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving. It focuses on identifying negative patterns and is often used for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on mindfulness combined with CBT approaches. It’s often used to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and to help people dealing with suicidal ideation.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Mindfulness-based therapy focuses on mindfulness practices such as meditation to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

Family Therapy: Family therapy works with families – together, separately, in the office, or at home, to resolve conflicts and improve communication.

Couples Therapy: Couples therapy will also sometimes be done together, and sessions will sometimes be held individually to improve communication and resolve conflicts to strengthen a couple’s relationship.

Trauma-Focused/Trauma-Informed Therapy: Trauma-focused therapy is designed to address trauma and its effects.

Art Therapy: Art therapy allows patients to use their creativity to explore their emotions. This can be very helpful for people who struggle to find words to explain feelings.

Exposure Therapy: This is mostly used for phobias and anxiety disorders. Exposure therapy gradually exposes people to what they’re afraid of to show them they don’t need to be as afraid of it.

Narrative Therapy: Narrative therapy focuses on rewriting personal narratives and stories to change how people perceive themselves, others, and their experiences.

Play Therapy: Play Therapy allows people to communicate and express themselves through play. 🙂

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS): IFS therapy involves understanding the different parts of yourself and how they work together.