What Are Different Types Of Therapy?

Amanda Steele • October 2, 2023

What Are Different Types Of Therapy?

Have you ever been to a therapist before? Are you looking to get therapy for help with mental health symptoms? Therapy can help people from all backgrounds and with all kinds of mental health issues find support, coping skills, and more.

But, did you know there are many different types of therapy? In fact, if you search for types of therapy on Psychology Today, you'll find a list of dozens of options. While there are many different types of therapy, some are more commonly used than others. Some types of therapy are also better suited to specific issues.

For example, someone with anxiety disorders might benefit from one option, while someone with post traumatic stress disorder may do better with a different approach.

Learning about some of the more common types of therapy is useful, as it helps you know where to look to get the help you need. Discover more about various therapy options in this guide from OneLife Counseling.

Because there are so many types of therapy, it's not possible to go over them all. However, it is possible to cover some of the most commonly used and effective therapeutic methods. Let's dive into these kinds of therapy and the kind of mental health problems they often address.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients address and identify negative thought patterns. The idea is to find limiting beliefs and patterns that lead to distress. During sessions, the mental health professional helps you replace harmful thought patterns with more positiveness.

Cognitive therapy is helpful for mood disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, and more.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy developed from psychoanalysis. It's a longer-term mental health treatment approach where clients can talk about their mental health issues or anything that's on their mind. Mental health professionals who use psychodynamic psychotherapy help patients uncover thought patterns and connect current issues to past traumas.

Psychodynamic therapy developed from psychoanalysis, a long-term approach to mental health treatment. This kind of therapy can help with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy, also known as dialectical behavior therapy, is similar to cognitive behavioral therapy. However, this approach focuses more on accepting emotions and learning to regulate them. The therapist will help the patient cope with distressing situations and learn how to accept emotions.

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy is a short-term therapy approach meant to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and addiction. This therapy technique helps clients improve their social functioning and reduce distress.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy is a kind of therapy where your mental healthcare provider helps you examine your worldview and how it impacts your choices. This is a general approach where the mental health professional accepts you and encourages you to live your most fulfilling life. Humanistic therapy can help those with post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and those with chronic health issues.

Group Therapy

Group therapy isn't a specific method of therapy. Instead, it's any type of therapy that occurs in a group setting. During group therapy, one to 15 patients are led by a mental health professional. Group therapy helps patients find support from peers.

This type of therapy is usually done to address a specific mental health problem, such as depression, social anxiety, or substance abuse treatment.

Do I Need Therapy Sessions?

People have many reasons for seeking out therapy. You don't need to have specific psychiatric disorders to benefit from mental health services. In fact, therapy is a great way to find relief from mental health symptoms even if you don't meet a mental health diagnosis. It's also very effective for treating mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.

Therapy is also a good option if you feel you're struggling in life or in your relationships. You don't have to be at rock bottom to seek therapy, and getting help when you need it is admirable.

What Types Of Therapy Are Right For Me?

Many people wonder what type of therapy is best for them. But, the answer really depends on many factors. Some individuals just like one kind of therapy over another. The type of mental health issues you also determine the therapeutic approach your therapist will take.

Cognitive therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, are particularly common. But, they aren't right for everyone.

If you have questions about which therapy option is best for you, the best thing to do is work with a mental health professional. They can talk to you about your concerns and make recommendations.

Therapy Options In Denver

At OneLife Counseling, Jeremy Magin offers mental health assistance for teenagers and adults in the Denver area. As a mental health professional, Jeremy tailors his therapy sessions to meet your needs. He draws from many common and effective therapy approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to ensure each patient gets assistance with their mental health.

A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works for therapy. Instead, Jeremy will partner with you to find the right approach or combination of approaches to address your mental health and address your desired therapy goals.

Contact today to request a free 30 minute consultation or to learn more about mental health services.

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Finding Your Therapeutic Fit: How To Choose The Right Therapist

By Jeremy Magin • November 15, 2023

Finding Your Therapeutic Fit: How To Choose The Right Therapist Therapy can be a life-changing experience, whether you’re living with a mental illness or not. It can give you the confidence, motivation, and/or encouragement you need to get yourself back on your feet, back on track, and back to living a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. With therapy , you can feel like you again. The problem is most people either aren’t seeking the help of a therapist or don’t fully understand how a therapist can help them. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), of the nearly 60 million people living with a mental illness, only 47% of them receive mental health treatment every year. Even those who seek the help of a mental health professional often struggle to find a therapist they feel comfortable around – which can get in the way of treatment and make matters worse. If this sounds like you, don’t worry – we’re going to break down everything you need to know to help you find a therapist you can thrive with. Qualities to Look for In a Therapist With dozens of therapists in the Denver area – and thousands more available online – finding the right therapist often takes time. All patients have unique goals and expectations, and all therapists have their own unique style and specialty, but the right match is out there – so long as you’re willing to search for it. To help you in your search for a therapist, here are some of the most prominent qualities to look for: A general passion for helping others through life’s problems A great listener and observer – someone who will take the time to understand YOU Easy to talk to, very relatable, and authentic Reliable, consistent, and always there when you need a helping hand Promotes a safe space that’s free of judgment and/or ridicule Specailizes in the type of therapy you’re interested in (CBT, ACT, DBT, psychotherapy, talk therapy, etc.) Has worked with patients that have similar symptoms or conditions as you Sensitive to the emotions you’re experiencing, but helping you face your fears Understanding what you’re looking for out of a good therapist can help you narrow down your options – instead of looking at dozens or even hundreds of therapists, your list will be down to a select few. From there, you can schedule an appointment with your top choice to see if they’re a good fit – if not, try someone else!

What Are Different Types Of Therapy?

By Amanda Steele • October 2, 2023

Looking for therapy? There are many different kinds of therapy. Learn about some of the most common approaches in this guide.