Types of Therapy

Once you decide that therapy is right for you, you will see that there are numerous forms to choose from.

Based on what issues you want to work through, it can be hard to find a therapist that specializes in only your issue (PTSD, LGBTQ+, etc.) and also one that uses techniques that resonate with you. We provide a basic list of the most common forms of therapy available below.

Keep in mind that there is a whole world of additional therapeutic approaches not listed. If you have any questions about something more specific, please contact us and we will provide you with additional information.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

This type of psychotherapy works to help you identify and change the harmful thought processes and behaviors you may have formed throughout your life. CBT will provide tools to reduce distress and improve your ability to function by training you to change your responses to difficult situations in a healthier way.

Illnesses most often treated with CBT: depression, anxiety, chronic pain, eating disorders, low self-esteem, anger problems, substance use problems, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT):

This type cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy teaches you how to manage and react to your emotions with regards to yourself and others around you in a healthy manner. This also includes working on the ability to tolerate stressful situations. This is a more intense form of therapy compared to CBT and is suggested for anyone who has tried more conventional therapy and still feels like they are struggling.

Illnesses and issues most often treated with DBT: Borderline Personality Disorder, suicidal thoughts and attempts, self injury or destruction, anger management, emotional issues, impulsive behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, difficulty building meaningful and lasting relationships, and chronic feelings of emptiness.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT):

This form of psychotherapy focuses specifically on emotions and how you cope with them, putting an emphasis on the self and past relationships. EFT is built on the theory that avoiding or suppressing healthy emotional responses leads to mental and physical health concerns. This form of therapy was first used to treat eating disorders as it highlights what coping mechanisms you have formed to avoid emotions.

Illnesses and issues most often treated with EFT: moderate depression, couples or relationship issues, effects of childhood deprivation or abuse, interpersonal problems, and eating disorders.

Family Therapy:

Just as its name implies, this form of psychotherapy includes counseling for the family as a group, sometimes breaking into subgroups of individuals as needed. The therapist will focus on the family’s strengths and goals and focus on the family’s positive patterns and behaviors while pointing out other behaviors that may contribute to distress. Family therapy is generally done in tandem to another form of individual therapy.

Illnesses and issues most often treated with Family Therapy: eating disorders, substance abuse, anger or oppositional behaviors, anxiety, family members with a medical illness, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Group Therapy:

This form of psychotherapy can include one or two therapists working with a group of people at a time. This can help foster a feeling of universality--showing that the group members are not alone in what they are experiencing. Also, because members are often at different stages of recovery in the same group, this form of therapy can offer additional hope to anyone starting their journey since they see others’ improvements down the road.

Group therapy sessions can be used to treat most mental health issues and disorders.

Inter-personal Therapy:

This is a short-term psychotherapy for individuals suffering from depression or interpersonal problems. Instead of looking for the unconscious root of an issue, this form of therapy focuses on current reality and how immediate issues are affecting the depression. This can be utilized following a major change in the individual's life.

Illnesses and issues most often treated with Interpersonal Therapy: bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, dysthymia, eating disorders, panic disorders, protracted bereavement, substance abuse, and marital disputes.

Interested in finding a therapist right for you? Click here.

Disclaimer: We are not mental health providers.