Common types of therapy
Therapists use all sorts of complicated words to describe their particular style of therapy, which can be really confusing. Also, many therapists are trained in several different styles and will tailor their approach for you. In this case they might also use words like ‘eclectic’, 'blended' or ‘integrative’ when they describe how they work.
Here are some common terms you might come across when describing different types of therapy, and what they mean:
Arts or creative
Uses creative processes such as painting, drawing, drama and music as a way to help explore and communicate difficult or confusing feelings – such as in arts and creative therapies.
Behavioural
Explores the way you act.
Cognitive
Explores your thoughts and the way you think – such as in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Dialectical
Explores opposite positions and looks at how they might exist together – such as in dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT).
Humanistic
Focuses on the individual as a whole, including mind, body, spirit and soul.
Mindfulness-based
Involves becoming aware of all your current thoughts and feelings and accepting them. Often involves mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Person-centred
Focuses on using your own strengths and insight about yourself to encourage personal growth and improve relationships.
Psychoanalytic (or analytic)
Focuses on unconscious, deep-rooted thoughts that often stem from childhood.
Psychodynamic (or dynamic)
Explores how your unconscious thoughts might affect the way you act.
Solution-focused
Focuses on what you want to achieve in the future rather than exploring past experiences.
