The Different Therapeutic Approaches In Treating Mental Health
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
The world of therapy can be a complex space. There may be no right choice regarding the best therapeutic option, as treatment can be highly individualized.
Knowing the strategies a therapist can implement may help you understand which is best for you. That way, you can know what to expect and how therapy might help you reach your goals. Read on to learn more about the approaches you might encounter professionally.
Different types of therapy techniques and therapeutic approaches in treating mental health challenges
Mental health professionals may use various approaches to help people overcome multiple psychological challenges. Some examples of approaches can include psychodynamic, behavioral, and integrative therapy. Every approach can have its benefits and limitations, and some methods may work better than others, depending on a person’s needs and goals.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest methods rooted in psychoanalysis. This method focuses on how life events and relationships can affect a person's feelings, relationships, and choices, potentially helping clients better understand and process emotions.
The theory
At its core, it may uncover unconscious meanings and motivations behind certain behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. This method focuses on how unresolved issues from a client's past can influence present challenges and relationships. In short, it seeks to find the “root” of a problem and eliminate it from its source.
How it works
Psychodynamic therapists may use techniques like free association and transference to help clients gain insight and become aware of thought and behavioral patterns. This relationship between a therapist and client may be essential to provide a safe space where clients can explore their deepest thoughts and feelings.
During sessions, clients might discover hidden emotions or memories and likely start to see how unresolved experiences affect current challenges. By addressing underlying problems, clients can learn better ways to navigate difficult situations and create more robust, stable relationships.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a subtype of psychotherapy that focuses on working through dysfunctional thought patterns that can lead to emotional distress and unhelpful behaviors. This approach, developed by prominent figures such as Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, aims to help people recognize and change troubling thoughts to improve overall emotional well-being and actions.
The theory
CBT is the belief that an individual's thoughts can significantly affect their emotions and behaviors. Dysfunctional or irrational thoughts can cause emotional challenges and lead to various mental health concerns. In CBT, therapists can help clients identify troubling thoughts and develop a plan to challenge and replace troubling thoughts with healthier alternatives.
How it works
Professionals trained in CBT work with clients to identify specific thought patterns that may contribute to mental health conditions, such as depression, substance use disorder, and eating disorders. Clients can learn techniques like thought records and cognitive restructuring to evaluate thoughts objectively and replace troubling thoughts with more balanced ones. This process may help reduce emotional dysregulation and improve coping skills
For instance, if someone feels anxious because they think they may fail at a task, CBT can help them question this belief by looking at the facts and possibly suggesting a new viewpoint. By changing their focus from irrational thoughts to more encouraging ones, a client can create a healthier mindset and face challenges with more confidence.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy focuses on working through dysfunctional behaviors by identifying the learning processes that may drive them. With the help of a behavioral therapist, you can change actions through new learning experiences, eventually replacing undesirable behaviors with more desired ones.
The theory
Originally from classical and operant conditioning theories, behavioral therapy emphasizes how environmental factors likely shape our actions. Notably, therapists might use certain principles, such as reinforcement and punishment, to guide the development of improved behaviors. Behavioral therapy's primary purpose is to help people change certain habits, which can lead to better daily life and overall happiness.
How it works
Behavioral therapists start by figuring out which behaviors might need to be changed. They might look at an individual’s family background, personal experiences, and anything possibly causing unwanted behaviors.
After identifying areas of need, the therapist may use proven methods to help the person learn new, better behaviors. Examples of these methods include showing how to act, giving rewards, and having repeated exposure to situations that can bring out the problem behavior.
Humanistic therapy
Humanistic therapy is an approach that focuses on a person's potential and abilities, thus zooming out to personal growth and self-discovery rather than just treating symptoms or diagnoses. Client-centered therapy is typically at the heart of humanistic therapy.
The theory
Humanistic therapy involves the belief that people can possess the capacity to make rational choices, develop to their fullest potential, and have respect for others. Influenced by philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Buber, and Søren Kierkegaard, humanistic therapy practices, including existential therapy, focus on individual experiences, expressions, and perspectives.
How it works
Humanistic therapy is a solid partnership between the therapist and the client. The therapist may create a caring, open-minded, and supportive space where clients can feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
In this approach, standard techniques can include active listening, empathetic understanding, and unconditional positive regard. These techniques promote open communication and can help people develop healthy coping skills, grow emotionally, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.
Integrative therapy
Integrative therapy is a flexible and inclusive approach that may blend ideas and techniques from multiple therapy styles based on a person's needs. This type of therapy can be more flexible than just one approach.
The theory
Integrated therapy recognizes that one treatment style may only solve some clients' problems. So, therapists may use a mix of proven techniques that fit the client's unique needs and likes, creating a customized treatment plan. An integrative therapist can better help clients with their feelings, thoughts, bodies, and relationships by being open to different therapy methods.
How it works
At the beginning of therapy, an integrative therapist may look at the client's needs by checking their symptoms, preferences, and goals. The therapist then can pick parts from different therapy styles, like cognitive, humanistic, or behavioral therapies, before making a personalized treatment plan.
During the sessions, the therapist may change their approach as needed, adding additional elements or techniques as the client improves.
Factors to consider with your therapist when choosing your preferred method
Consider your needs, preferences, and circumstances when deciding on a counseling method. Many therapists likely adopt an integrative approach, combining elements from various types of therapy to tailor treatment to each client. Below are some factors you may want to consider when selecting a strategy:
- Personal goals and objectives
- Family history and background
- Existing mental health conditions or diagnoses
Is cognitive behavioral therapy the most effective approach?
Although cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most popular approaches in treating various mental health conditions, the result can still vary depending on the specific needs and response of the individual to the treatment. Make sure to talk to your therapist so you will know the best approach for your condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. other types of therapy
CBT is a type of goal-oriented approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, often for faster relief. Other types of therapies may delve more into emotions to get extensive insights into a person’s mental health. Even so, the different approaches have their pros and cons on an individual’s journey to healing. It can be helpful to have a one-on-one talk with a licensed therapist for more guidance.
In-person therapy may be the traditional way to get treatment, but online therapy has become more popular recently because of better, more convenient technology. Both forms of therapy can be effective, depending on a person’s needs and preferences.
Apart from being a possibly more convenient way to receive therapy, studies suggest online therapy effectively treats various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may be just what you need to help improve your overall mental health.
Takeaway
What are the different therapeutic approaches that a therapist typically recommends?
A therapist may look into different therapeutic approaches when they develop recommendations for mental health treatment and use one or a combination of approaches. Some examples include CBT, humanistic therapy, and exposure therapy.
Under these approaches are different techniques. For example, systematic desensitization is a kind of exposure therapy that uses muscle relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to a fear-inducing object. The goal is to reduce anxiety over time.
What is an example of a therapeutic approach for someone with mental health concerns?
An example of one popular therapeutic approach is CBT. Through this approach, therapists can help clients identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their mental health challenges. Therapists then work with the client to address these thoughts and cope with their symptoms moving forward.
An example of one popular therapeutic approach is CBT. Through this approach, therapists can help clients identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their mental health challenges. The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach focuses on the present instead of past events. Therapists then work with the client to address these thoughts and cope with their symptoms moving forward through desensitization, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning.
What are therapeutic approaches?
Therapeutic approaches are different methods and theories that therapists develop and utilize as a mental health treatment for patients’ mental health issues, such as mood disorders. Different approaches are also used to help bring positive change to a person’s self-esteem, develop rational choices, and address certain feelings with relationship issues and personal thoughts that they themselves may not understand.
What are the four therapeutic processes?
Some therapeutic processes for patients include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), existential therapy, client-centered therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and behavior therapy.
Under the umbrella of these therapeutic processes are different types of therapy, as well. One is rational emotive therapy or rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). This type of cognitive behavioral therapy approach focuses on identifying and challenging different thought patterns, negative emotions, and irrational beliefs. The acceptance and commitment therapy approach focuses on improving and accepting one’s quality of life. Another type of cognitive behavioral therapy for patients is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which can be an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Different therapy types explore the unconscious mind. Cognitive therapists incorporate mindfulness, acceptance, and emotional regulation strategies in each therapy session to treat various psychiatric disorders and behavioral issues. Cognitive therapists also ensure that clients focus on positive thinking instead of unhelpful thoughts to promote positive behaviors and feelings.
Gestalt therapy is another approach to psychotherapy. Gestalt therapy focuses on the client’s present moment and aids in different mental health issues and problematic behaviors.
What is the most popular therapeutic approach?
The most popular therapeutic approach may be cognitive behavior therapy, a combination of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy is a practical approach to handling problematic behaviors and understanding difficult emotions.
How many therapeutic approaches are there?
According to the American Psychological Association, there are five broad categories of approaches to psychotherapy. These broad categories are psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, humanistic therapy, and integrative or holistic therapy.
The therapeutic approaches used for each client depend on their individual situation, needs, and goals. For instance, a client with substance use disorder may benefit from holistic therapy from a mental healthcare professional.
What is the basic principle of the therapeutic approach?
There are different therapeutic approaches for different therapy platforms. However, all therapeutic approaches emphasize the client-therapist relationship, where they foster a safe space to explore and grow through different therapeutic approaches.
What are the different approaches to counseling?
Different counseling approaches include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, hypnotherapy, cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, art therapy, and more.
What is a therapeutic example?
One therapeutic example is a CBT therapist helping a patient with social anxiety to develop better communication skills such as active listening, eye contact, and therapeutic communication. CBT can be an effective treatment for other mental health illnesses such as other anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse issues, and OCD, among others.
Other examples of therapeutic modalities are cognitive therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and behavior therapy.
What is the most important aspect of therapeutic care?
The most important aspect of therapeutic care is that the different approaches to psychotherapy can be programmed to fit each individual’s unique needs to reduce or treat symptoms of mental health issues and improve mental stability.
Thanks for the feedback!
- Previous Article
- Next Article