A guide to different types of therapy (original) (raw)

Therapy is a form of treatment that aims to help resolve mental or emotional issues. Many types of therapy are available, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, involves a person speaking with a trained therapist who can help them understand certain feelings and behaviors.

Therapy can help people deal with these issues by teaching coping skills or working to eliminate them.

This article will provide an overview of the different types of therapy available.

A CBT therapist will discuss how a person’s thought patterns may contribute to difficult emotions. They can help modify those thoughts to decrease negative emotions and unhelpful behaviors.

Together, the therapist and their client can work on developing constructive ways of thinking. These changes can offer a healthier, more positive outlook and help people change self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT. However, DBT focuses more directly on regulating emotions, being mindful, and accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

A therapist uses DBT to help a person find a balance between changing one’s own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and accepting them. Using DBT, a therapist can teach a person new skills, such as new ways to cope with a situation and mindfulness practices.

According to a 2024 review of studies, research shows that DBT can significantly improve depressive symptoms and increase general well-being in people with BPD.

The authors also observed improvements in mood and impulsivity and a reduction in hospitalization in those with BPD after undergoing DBT.

EMDR involves a person recalling a traumatic event while performing specific eye movements.

EMDR aims to replace adverse reactions to painful memories with less charged or positive responses.

The benefits of EMDR remain controversial, and a 2018 review of studies was unable to identify what part of the treatment is beneficial.

There are conflicting opinions on whether or not eye movements are an essential part of the therapy, as benefits may derive from a person’s recollection of the trauma rather than the eye movements.

Exposure therapy is a form of CBT.

Therapists may use exposure therapy to help treat:

A person undergoing exposure therapy will work with their therapist to figure out what triggers their anxiety.

They will then work together to expose the person to their anxiety. They will do this by staying in those triggering situations while fully experiencing that anxiety and not attempting to change it.

A therapist will encourage someone to sit with their anxiety until it decreases naturally on its own rather than trying to avoid it. For example, by using compulsions, in the case of OCD, or trying to escape the situation.

Exposure therapy uses both real life and controlled environments, and often a mix of both, depending on the environment. It may or may not use efforts to explore and challenge thought patterns that arise from those exercises, such as with CBT.

A 2022 review of studies looked at “prolonged exposure therapy,” a form of exposure therapy for PTSD. The authors found that it may benefit people with a single type of trauma or those who have experienced multiple traumatic events.

The review suggested that prolonged exposure therapy could be a helpful follow-up treatment for children and adolescents experiencing PTSD. It may be more effective in people over the age of 14 years.

Interpersonal therapy focuses on a person’s interactions with family members, close friends, and loved ones.

Interpersonal therapy aims to help a person work on these relationships. According to NAMI, therapists often use interpersonal therapy to treat depression.

During interpersonal therapy, the therapist evaluates a person’s social interactions and helps them notice negative patterns. The therapist can then help the person understand and interact positively with others.

According to a

2018 systematic review

, mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is an effective treatment for BPD.

MBT involves a technique called mentalizing. This therapy helps people with BPD notice and understand their thoughts and feelings and those of others.

Its primary aim is to give a person with BPD a sense of self and help them connect to other people.

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on patterns of behavior that derive from a person’s attachment relationships with caregivers and other close relationships from a young age.

This includes, but is not limited to, object relations theory, which looks at how people’s relationships with others shape their behavior and development.

Psychodynamic therapy often involves a person speaking freely in response to a therapist’s questions, which allows a therapist to identify patterns of behavior and thought. They will also discuss the past experiences and relationships that have shaped these patterns.

Once people understand how their experiences have created unhelpful behaviors and feelings, they can learn to interact in more healthy ways.

One 2017 article indicates that psychodynamic therapy can successfully treat depression.

However, therapists employ this technique to treat a wide range of mental health issues and some personality disorders.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) involves a person spending time with a trained therapy pet. A therapy pet may help reduce a person’s anxiety, as well as support those with PTSD.

Some hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities use therapy pets to provide support or comfort.

Research from 2019 suggested that AAT can minimize stress and trauma for hospitalized people who may require compulsory admission or seclusion.

The research recommends using AAT alongside music therapy, an enriched environment, and other supportive therapies.

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) attempts to help people develop a better awareness of both positive and negative emotions.

A therapist can then work with a person to help them learn to reflect, regulate, and make sense of their emotions.

EFT is based on attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of connections with others as a source of comfort and safety.

According to a small 2018 feasibility study, EFT may treat generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Researchers are also currently investigating its use for complex trauma.

Family therapy involves working with a family unit to help an individual within the family resolve specific issues. In some cases, multiple individuals within the family unit are meant to benefit.

Family therapists help a family understand and work through negative behavior patterns that may cause underlying problems.

A small 2019 study states that family therapy can help families with adolescents experiencing mental health issues.

This type of therapy may also help people with:

Group therapy allows people experiencing similar issues to join together to resolve them.

In group therapy, a therapist leads the discussion, and individuals can comment or contribute personal thoughts and experiences.

Group therapy helps people realize that they are not alone. It offers them an opportunity to support each other.

However, a disadvantage of group therapy is that people do not get the same amount of one-on-one attention as they would in a one-to-one therapy situation.

Group therapy is also less confidential, meaning some people may be reluctant to share their experiences.

Group therapy can benefit people with:

Mindfulness is the practice of feeling present in the moment. It aims to encourage people to observe and accept surroundings, situations, and emotions as they are without judgment. Meditation can be a big part of practicing mindfulness.

A 2020 meta-analysis found that mindfulness apps may be promising in improving people’s overall well-being and mental health. However, the authors pointed out that they only analyzed a few studies, so more research may be needed.

Another study found that, compared to a control condition, mindfulness-based interventions were beneficial to people with:

Creative art therapy aims to engage the mind through various creative methods. It allows people to express their feelings through different mediums, such as art, dance, music, or poetry.

According to a 2022 review, art therapy may help people improve their mental health and interpersonal relationships. Researchers are exploring its use in different areas, including:

The study concluded that there is not yet enough information to determine how effective art therapy is, and results may vary between individuals.

Specialists use play therapy to help children talk about their thoughts and feelings. Play therapists provide a space where children feel safe and cared for.

Children in play therapy may express their feelings or experiences through play. This type of therapy allows children to manage behavioral problems, stress, or trauma in a safe environment.

A 2019 case study showed how play therapy could have a therapeutic effect on children.

There are many types of therapy available for a person who would like help working through certain issues.

Certain types of therapy may be more effective for some conditions than others.

It is important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another, so the best form of therapy for an individual depends on the condition or conditions the person experiences, the individual’s personal choice, and professional opinion.

If a person is unsure which type of therapy is best for them, they could speak with a doctor or healthcare professional.