This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
When you think of therapy, you may think of someone who helps you follow treatment programs properly or a person who can fix your marriage. While both of these are true, there is much more to learn about therapy. For instance, the many types of therapists and the different types of therapy.
By exploring the various therapy types, you can gain the knowledge and confidence you need to seek help. Learn more about the types and how they benefit their patients.
What is Therapy?
Most individuals assume that therapy is an hour-long session with a therapist where they must tell their deepest and darkest secrets. However, therapy is much more in-depth than this perception. The goal of therapy is to help individuals learn more about themselves to live a happier and healthier life.
Many people that attend therapy do not have severe, life-threatening mental health disorders. Individuals often consider therapy to cope with various life circumstances. Another misconception about therapy is that it is simply a bandaid. In other words, you may feel better during your session, but it won’t fix the problem for long. This is also untrue!
Therapy is a place where patients learn how to implement healthy coping mechanisms, behavioral patterns, and positive lifestyles. The mental health professional conducting the therapy sessions will help the patient make good habits that they will use for the rest of their life.
Therapy sessions can be conducted by many mental health professionals. The professional depends on the mental health concern, patient, and the problem’s severity. A few examples of professionals are as follows: psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, marriage and family counselor, addiction therapist, and so many more.
While there are many mental health professionals, there is also a multitude of therapy types. Each type of therapy is chosen based on the patient and their mental health concern. Learn more about the different therapy types and if one is for you!
Different Types of Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, frequently referred to as CBT, is a form of therapy that is focused on changing a person’s patterns. For example, the goal of CBT is to change unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns in the individual’s life.
With cognitive behavioral therapy, people can address these unhealthy patterns. One example: is someone who lives with generalized anxiety disorder. A therapist will help them understand the ways of thinking and behaving that are disrupting their life.
Not only will the patient learn more about the problem, but this therapy also teaches helpful techniques. The patient may learn various breathing strategies, journaling prompts, positive affirmations, and different ways to break unhealthy cycles.
Mental health concerns and disorders that are typically treated with cognitive behavioral therapy are as follows: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, family dynamics, and more.
Humanistic Therapy
Psychology Today describes humanistic therapy as such: “Also known as humanism, humanistic therapy is a positive approach to psychotherapy that focuses on a person’s individual nature, rather than categorizing groups of people with similar characteristics as having the same problems.”
In other words, this therapy form focuses on the positives and completeness in the individual’s life. A therapist will use this theory to help the patient reach their fullest potential. Unlike cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy focuses more on the present rather than the past.
Humanistic therapy is typically implemented for patients that live with various personality disorders, low self-esteem, depression, and a general lack of self-confidence.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy, also known as holistic psychotherapy, is a type of therapy that explores the relationship between mind, body, and spirit.
Many other types of therapy look at the person with a mental health disorder in mind. For example, someone in dialectical behavioral therapy goes to therapy to solve the issue of borderline personality disorder. Holistic pyschotherapy puts aside thoughts of “fixing” a problem and instead uses their time to bring awareness to their inner self.
When the therapist helps the patient look at their mind, body, and spirit. They are looking at the brain’s function, emotions, thoughts, and a person’s ability to connect to others. By combing all parts of a person’s inner self, they can gain awareness of their well-being. Most individuals attend holistic therapy for relationhsip issues, anxiety, depression, and other emotional-based concerns.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy, often abbreviated as DBT, and cognitive behavioral therapy are similar in many ways because they are both under the theory of behavioral therapy.
However, according to Behavioral Tech, there are four main skills taught in dialectical behavioral therapy. As a patient, you will learn mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.
Mindfulness refers to the awareness a person has of their body and mind. Distress tolerance is the patient’s ability to cope with life’s hardships. We all have unfortunate and uncomfortable situations in our lives. Distress tolerance teaches a person how to manage these moments instead of changing them.
In dialectical behavioral therapy, a person will learn more about interpersonal effectiveness. Interpersonal effectiveness is the gaining of self-confidence and self-respect. Lastly, emotion regulation is the skill of controlling and changing your emotions.
Most individuals that attend dialectical behavioral therapy are people that need assistance addressing borderline personality disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and more.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is most known by its original creator: Sigmund Freud. Freud founded this therapy theory as a theory of personality.
According to Very Well Mind, “Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that involves facilitation a deeper understanding of one’s emotions and other mental processes. It works to help people gain greater insight into how they feel and think.”
The point of psychodynamic therapy is to bring awareness to our thoughts and feelings. When a person can become understanding of their inner self and well-being, they will be able to manage future issues. Instead of ignoring painful emotions, patients learn how to accept and manage their emotions in a better way.
Psychodynamic therapy is most commonly used for anxiety, personality disorder, big life changes, substance use disorder,m addictions, and depression.
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