Types Of Psychological Therapy
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When people struggle with mental health challenges, they may turn to therapy to learn different types of coping mechanisms and receive support. There are many potential benefits of therapy, and there are a variety of types available to help individuals understand and address their concerns. Different types of therapy offered by mental health professionals, such as licensed professional counselors and family therapists, help individuals understand their concerns and find ways to address them.
Types of therapy
Four of the more common types of psychotherapy used to treat people include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, family systems therapy, and group therapy. Regardless of the type of therapy, there are strategies you can implement to maximize the effectiveness of your treatment plan.
Common types of psychological therapy for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions
Just as there are various treatment methods for physical ailments, there are diverse approaches for addressing mental disorders and emotional distress. These treatment methods, often called talk therapy or supportive therapy, can help individuals cope with mental illnesses like depression, panic disorder, and other mental health conditions.
Mental health professionals can provide care, deliver cognitive therapy, prescribe medications, or offer alternative interventions like animal-assisted therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Some variations of therapy—for example, psychodynamic therapy—have been practiced for a long time and are still in common use. Other types, such as neurofeedback therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, have developed more recently.
Specific types of counseling, such as marriage therapy, family therapy, guidance, and mental health therapy, can provide more tailored support.
The types of therapy used vary by counselor
Different types of counselors or therapists focus on different areas. Some therapists may specialize in family therapy or working with children, while others may specialize in working with adults or with couples. Familiarity with different types of therapy for depression, eating disorders, PTSD and other mental health conditions may help you decide which one might be the best option for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, is a type of behavior therapy that typically focuses on changing negative thoughts or thought patterns and introducing new, healthier thought patterns. This type of therapy also can involve using these new thought patterns to develop self-awareness and change specific behaviors.
During a therapy session, the therapist might discuss the validity or realism of the patient's negative or unhelpful thoughts, then provide skills to reframe those thought patterns in the unconscious mind. While this intensive type of therapy can be done over a short period and may be challenging, it has been proven effective in treating various mental illnesses.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that traces its roots to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. This therapeutic method delves into the unconscious mind to explore and understand how past experiences, particularly those from early childhood, influence an individual's current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through open-ended discussions and free association, clients are encouraged to explore their thoughts and emotions, gaining insight into the unconscious processes that may be affecting their lives.
The therapeutic relationship in psychodynamic therapy is central, as it serves as a microcosm of the client's interpersonal experiences. Transference and countertransference, where the client unconsciously projects feelings onto the therapist and vice versa, are key concepts in psychodynamic therapy. The goal of psychodynamic therapy is not only symptom relief but also the development of insight and self-awareness, leading to long-term changes in the client's emotional and relational functioning.
Interpersonal therapy
The primary aim of interpersonal psychotherapy is to help individuals improve their relationships with others. Interpersonal psychotherapy is intended to focus on the patient's ability to create and maintain healthy relationships with the people around them.
Situations in which interpersonal psychotherapy might be helpful include treating unresolved grief, distress following a divorce, or conflicts within families or in the workplace.
Family systems therapy
As the name suggests, family systems therapy (FST) is a type of psychological therapy that focuses on the family as a unit and aims to help individuals resolve any problems within that context. A foundational tenet of this therapeutic approach is that when something happens to one individual in the family, the whole family is affected.
The primary goal is to help families develop healthier relationships. This approach can be used for families experiencing conflict, as well as families where individual members are living with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and more.
Group therapy
Group therapy is a psychological treatment for groups of individuals who are all experiencing the same type of mental health condition. This therapeutic approach brings people together in a group setting moderated by a therapist who offers support to the participants and helps make sure the session runs smoothly.
There are many types of group therapy available.
Group therapy also provides an opportunity for the participants to listen to and learn from the other people in the group. Hearing about someone else's challenges can help the participants know that they are not alone in their feelings, and hearing how another person handled their particular situation may give the other participants ideas about how they might approach a similar problem in their own lives.
Other types of therapy
With so many different types of talk therapy and psychological treatments available, patients have options when it comes to improving mental health. Some other types of psychological therapies include:
- Client-centered Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy
- Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Finding a therapist or psychologist with a specialization may be beneficial as they will have experience in working with patients using that method. However, if you are unsure of where to start, finding a generalized therapist with a broad range of skills may be appropriate.
Maximizing your therapy sessions
Whichever type of psychological therapy you engage with, there are ways to get the most from your therapy sessions. While a psychological therapist can guide you, your participation level can affect how beneficial the therapy sessions are.
Below are a few techniques you might try to get the most from your talking therapy sessions:
Speak honestly
Talking about certain experiences or issues can be challenging. However, when you are working with a therapist, it is usually best to be transparent when discussing your feelings or the events in your life. Being open and honest can help your therapist learn about who you are as an individual, give you guidance and feedback, and discuss which next steps might be the most beneficial to you.
Create goals for yourself
Deciding what you hope to gain from your therapy sessions can be an important step in your journey toward better mental health. You don’t have to have everything figured out in advance; but having a general idea of areas that you would like to work on in your therapy sessions and how you want to improve your mental health can be helpful.
At the beginning, your therapist may ask what you're hoping to gain from your sessions, or which areas you want to work on or need the most improvement. Goals that you set in collaboration with your therapist can help both you and your therapist track how you’re doing.
Be patient
Engage in online therapy
If you are interested in trying therapy but feel overwhelmed trying to sort through the different types of therapy out there, online therapy may be a good fit. With online therapy through BetterHelp, you can match with a therapist based on your particular needs, and you can find a licensed professional who has experience working with individuals with similar concerns or using your preferred approach—without having to leave your home.
Mental health treatment with online cognitive behavioral therapy
Takeaway
There are many approaches to psychotherapy one can benefit from. Supportive psychotherapy is a broad field with a number of different psychotherapy techniques. Certain approaches to treatment might work for some individuals, while other people might benefit from a different method. Whichever form you use, you may consider trying some tips above to optimize your sessions.
With online therapy, you can find a licensed therapist with experience helping individuals with similar concerns.
What are the most popular types of psychological therapy for treating common types of mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder?
Popular types of psychological therapy for treating mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Is therapy typically effective for mental health treatment?
Yes. The American Psychological Association reports a success rate of approximately 75% among people who seek therapy. Keep in mind that in order to be effective, psychological treatment takes time. It’s not as if a therapist can perform emergency surgery to fix problematic behaviors in the same way a physician could fix a heart condition. It may take months or years to see progress.
What are the psychological therapy types?
Generally, the psychological therapy types can be separated into broad categories such as psychodynamic therapy, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, humanistic therapy, and integrative or holistic therapy. Within these categories, there are many different types of psychodynamic therapies. Here are some examples:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Humanistic therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
- Applied behavior analysis
- Music therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Who typically needs cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the gold standard of psychotherapies because of its wide range of applications. This therapy focuses on identifying negative patterns of thought and restructuring them to support healthier behaviors and a more positive sense of self. CBT can be used to treat various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorder (formerly substance abuse), and eating disorders, for example. It can also be used to help people deal with major life changes such as divorce, moving, or losing a job, for instance.
What does a psychologist or therapist do?
The specific role of a psychologist or therapist might vary depending on their individual approach and the client’s needs. Still, many therapists begin treatment with an assessment that consists of several open-ended questions. They may then work with the client to develop a treatment plan that might consist of one or more evidence-based therapeutic methods.
Which types of psychological therapy are best?
Many experts consider cognitive behavioral therapy to be the best all-around psychotherapy technique. Still, it’s not recommended for everyone and might not work for every mental health condition. The best psychotherapy method for you may depend on your unique circumstances and challenges.
What is the most common type of psychotherapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common type of psychotherapy used in the United States.
What therapy is best for anxiety?
The best therapy for anxiety is considered to be cognitive behavioral therapy. Specifically, exposure therapy, a type of CBT, can help desensitize people to the source of their anxiety through repeated exposure.
What type of therapy is most in demand?
The type of therapy that’s most in-demand could fluctuate. Some in-demand forms of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy, marriage and family therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. Moreover, online therapy is growing in popularity due to its convenience and flexibility.
What is the newest type of therapy?
Some people consider transcranial magnetic stimulation to be the newest type of therapy. Other emerging therapies include virtual reality therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and cognitive control training.
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