Types of Therapy

Therapy comes in many forms, from CBT and DBT to trauma-focused and identity-affirming approaches. In this article you will learn why therapies differ, how to choose, and why the therapist relationship matters most

Adlerian therapy emphasizes social connection, belonging, and personal growth. This article highlights its origins, when it’s most effective, how it works in practice, key techniques, evidence of effectiveness, and how to find an Adlerian therapist

Acceptance and commitment therapy blends mindfulness, acceptance, and value-based living to improve mental health. You will learn its origins, core principles, effectiveness, common applications, and what ACT sessions typically look like

Attachment-based therapy focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape adult patterns of trust, emotion, and connection. You will learn about attachment styles, when therapy is used, how it works, and its effectiveness in healing relationships

Brainspotting uses eye positions to access deep brain regions where trauma is stored. This article explains its origins, how sessions work, what conditions it treats, evidence of effectiveness, and how to find a trained therapist

Biofeedback teaches you to control physical responses like heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension. You’ll learn its origins, conditions it treats, how sessions work, the types of feedback used, and how to find a provider

Learn about child-parent psychotherapy, an evidence-based treatment for children ages 0-6 who experienced trauma, focusing on strengthening parent-child relationships to promote healing and secure attachment.

Cognitive processing therapy targets unhelpful thoughts that develop after traumatic events by helping people examine and reframe distorted beliefs about themselves and the world. Learn how this treatment method can create lasting healing.

Compassion-focused therapy helps people who experience high levels of shame and self-criticism learn self-compassion and emotional regulation skills to improve mental health. Learn how this approach can transform your relationship with yourself.

Learn about dialectical behavior therapy, a structured treatment combining mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills to help manage intense emotions and mental health conditions.

Eclectic therapy combines techniques from various therapeutic modalities to create personalized treatment plans. In this article you’ll learn about its origins, when it’s used, different types, how sessions work, and how to find qualified therapists.

Emotionally focused therapy helps individuals, couples, and families understand and regulate emotions to build stronger relationships. This article covers information about its origins, applications, therapeutic process, effectiveness research, and how to find qualified EFT therapists.

Experiential therapy uses creative activities, movement, and sensory experiences to heal trauma and emotional challenges. You’ll discover its various forms, effectiveness for conditions like PTSD and depression, and how to find qualified therapists.

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation like eye movements to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. Learn about its 8-phase protocol, effectiveness for PTSD, session structure, and finding qualified EMDR therapists.

Feminist therapy empowers women and marginalized groups by addressing how societal biases and power dynamics impact mental health. You’ll discover its origins, applications, session structure, effectiveness, and how to find qualified practitioners.

Gender-affirming therapy is mental health care that supports and validates LGBTQ+ individuals’ gender identity without attempting to change it. Discover how this approach works, its proven effectiveness, and finding qualified therapists.

Group therapy brings together multiple clients with mental health professionals in supportive settings. In this article you will learn about its applications, underlying mechanisms, session structure, proven effectiveness, and steps to locate appropriate group therapists.

CBT helps manage mental health conditions by connecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through evidence-based techniques. Discover its applications, cognitive restructuring process, treatment outcomes, and finding specialized providers.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia teaches practical sleep strategies without medication dependency. Learn when it’s applied, the eight core components, treatment duration, effectiveness evidence, and how to find qualified therapists.

Humanistic therapy promotes personal growth through self-awareness and present-moment focus. Learn about its Rogerian foundations, diverse applications, therapeutic techniques, research effectiveness, and locating qualified practitioners.

Interpersonal therapy focuses on relationship patterns and social factors contributing to psychological distress. Learn about its development, clinical applications, therapeutic process, research evidence, and finding qualified practitioners.

Mind-body therapy uses techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to enhance the mind’s positive impact on physical health. Learn its ancient origins, applications, methods, and finding qualified practitioners.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines CBT techniques with mindfulness practices to break negative thought patterns and manage mental health symptoms. Learn its origins, applications, methods, and finding qualified practitioners.

Faith-based therapy such as Christian counseling integrates scripture, prayer, and Christian beliefs with psychological interventions for holistic healing. Discover when it’s used, the therapeutic approaches it takes, its session structure, and how to find specialized Christian counselors.

Existential therapy explores four pillars of human existence: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness to help clients create authentic lives. This article covers its effectiveness, treatment duration, and how to find therapists who specialize in existential therapy.

Motivational interviewing acts as your personal compass when facing difficult life changes, using collaborative conversations to strengthen your own reasons for transformation and overcome ambivalence about behavioral shifts.

Narrative therapy transforms how you view yourself by treating problems as separate visitors rather than permanent residents in your identity, opening space for preferred stories to emerge and flourish.

Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, SFBT helps you see what’s already working in your life and shows you how to use those strengths to solve current problems.

Based on understanding the vagus nerve’s role in stress responses, polyvagal therapy teaches your body to choose calm over fight-flight-freeze reactions through breathing exercises and social engagement practices.

Positive psychology shifts focus from fixing problems to building happiness through strength identification, mindfulness practices, optimism training, and resilience-building exercises that create lasting positive changes.

Prolonged exposure therapy uses controlled, gradual confrontation of trauma triggers to treat PTSD symptoms. Discover how this evidence-based approach works, when it’s recommended, and what session experiences are like.

Psychoeducation combines education and emotional support to help people understand and manage mental health conditions effectively. Discover how this evidence-based approach works, when it’s recommended, and what session experiences are like.

Schema therapy is like rewiring the mental patterns you developed as a child to survive difficult situations. Learn how this approach helps you understand intense emotional reactions and build healthier adult responses.

Accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP) is a healing-focused therapy that helps people process deep emotions, recover from trauma, and reconnect with their core self. In this article, you’ll learn how AEDP works, who it can help, and what to expect in a typical session.

Culturally sensitive therapy offers a compassionate approach to mental health by recognizing the impact of culture, identity, and lived experience. This article explores its origins, benefits, and how to find the right support.

CAMS treats suicidal thoughts as a collaborative problem to solve rather than something to endure alone. Learn how this structured approach helps people move from crisis to stability through partnership with their therapist.

ERP is specialized cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people gradually face anxiety-provoking situations while resisting compulsive behaviors like checking or hand-washing. Learn how this approach breaks the anxiety-compulsion cycle that keeps OCD going.

Integrative therapy combines techniques from different therapeutic approaches to create personalized treatment plans that address each person’s unique mental health needs. Discover how this flexible approach works and when it’s used.

Multicultural counseling is a framework that trains therapists to embrace all aspects of a client’s cultural identity, including race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. Learn how this approach works and how to find a therapist who truly sees you for who you are.

The Gottman Method is research-based couples therapy that helps partners build stronger relationships through improved communication, conflict resolution, and emotional connection. Discover how this evidence-based approach works, when it’s recommended, and what to sessions are like.

Psychodynamic therapy helps you connect the dots between childhood experiences and current struggles by exploring patterns you might not even realize exist. Learn how this deep approach creates meaningful, lasting change.

PCIT puts caregivers in the driver’s seat with a therapist as their real-time coach, helping them learn better ways to connect with their child while handling tough behaviors. Learn how this hands-on approach can create positive, lasting change.