Different Types of Therapy (and How They Work)
Many of us will need therapy at one time or another to get through difficult times. However, therapy is not a universal category, and not every therapist is suitable for every patient. There are a number of different treatments available, from cognitive behavioral therapy to EMDR and psychodynamics.
If you are confused by all the options, you don’t need to. Yes, there are many different types of therapy, but the distinction between them is less severe than you might think, since many therapists are trained in at least several methods.
Therapists often switch between therapies.
“When I work with patients, I usually use more than just one type of therapy,” said Dr. Gregory Scott Brown , psychiatrist and founder and director of the Center for Green Psychiatry . Depending on the patient, he can switch strategies from visit to visit to adapt to his needs. If he feels that the patient needs a type of therapy that he does not specialize in, he will refer him to the therapists they need.
Different treatments will have their own strengths. Depending on the patient’s specific situation, the patient may have complex needs that can be addressed using a number of strategies. Thus, instead of adhering strictly to one therapeutic regimen, a good therapist will be able to adapt to the individual personality and needs of his patient.
It is important to find a suitable
Brown, more than any particular therapy, emphasizes the importance of finding a therapist with whom you feel comfortable.
“The quality of the fit is really important,” said Brown. “You need to make sure you have a therapist you trust and with whom you feel you can be honest. Some meetings will be inconvenient, they will be intense, and this is only part of the process. “
If you can, it is best to first meet with a therapist before deciding on a full course of therapy with them. This meeting can be thought of as an interview in which the patient should ask any questions they may have, as well as get an idea of how comfortable they are with this particular therapist.
If you’re working with a therapist and the sessions aren’t quite what you expect, it’s important to talk about your reservations and what doesn’t work, even if you’re uncomfortable with it.
“We’re taught to have strange, awkward, stressful and awkward conversations with people,” Brown said. “We’re used to it.”
With this in mind, there are seven basic types of therapy that a therapist can learn.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
One of the most well-known therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy , is used to treat problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, family problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. CBT works to change dysfunctional thinking and behavioral patterns, and to help patients develop coping skills.
What is cognitive processing therapy?
Cognitive processing therapy is a form of CBT that can help reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CPT works by helping patients learn to identify and change unhelpful beliefs about their trauma.
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy helps patients cope with painful emotions and reduce relationship conflicts by focusing on four key areas: mindfulness, stress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal efficiency.
What is EMDR?
Acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Treatment, EMDR therapy treats symptoms by encouraging patients to briefly focus on traumatic memory by experiencing bilateral stimulation, usually through eye movements, that reduce the brightness and emotionality of memory.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy is counseling that seeks to help family members communicate with each other and resolve conflicts. It can be the whole family or just a part of the members. Family therapy often helps in situations of stress, grief or anger, such as a family member’s mental illness, conflicts between family members, financial or family problems.
What is group therapy?
Group therapy differs from a support group in that the meetings are conducted by trained psychologists. Most groups target a specific problem such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or grief. Group therapy can be used in combination with individual therapy. In addition to therapy, group therapy can also function as a support system, helping people understand that they are not alone in their struggles.
What is psychodynamic therapy?
It is an in-depth conversation therapy primarily used to treat depression and other serious psychological disorders, with a focus on helping the patient deal with their emotions in a healthy and productive way. This includes problem analysis as well as behavior change.