Therapy is a broad term for treatments that help patients resolve difficult emotions, thoughts, life situations, and mental illness symptoms. Professional therapists have a variety of therapeutic techniques to choose from based on their own expertise and a patient’s needs. A therapist can help you make important changes, but it can help to know going into the experience what the different types of therapy are and how they work.
Behavioral Therapies
One of the most common fields of psychology is behavior science, how and why people behave in situations. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the patient recognize and change the negative and unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that cause distress. It is a goal-oriented, active type of therapy that helps people reduce symptoms of mood disorders, substance use, anxiety, eating disorders, and insomnia.
Dialectical behavior therapy is similar to CBT. It focuses on accepting negative feelings and regulating emotions. It is most helpful for people with depression, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, and some personality disorders. Acceptance and commitment therapy is similar with the emphasis on accepting difficult emotions as rational reactions.
Applied behavior analysis puts a strong focus on specific behaviors and skills. It is most often used with patients on the autism spectrum. This type of therapy helps people with communication, social skills, personal hygiene, job skills, and more.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a more traditional approach. It can be used as individual, family, or group therapy. In psychotherapy, patients strive to change their behaviors and thoughts by talking over the unconscious meanings and motivations behind them.
Psychotherapy can go on for many years, while other styles are more short-term. During this type of therapy, the patient and therapist usually develop a long-term professional partnership.
Trauma Therapies
Various types of therapies help people overcome trauma. These include trauma-focused behavior therapies. Another trauma therapy type is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). During EMDR, the patient recalls a traumatic experience while moving their eyes in a particular way as guided by the therapist.
In exposure therapy, the therapist provides a safe place to relive traumatic experiences and difficult emotions. In both types of therapy, the goal is to take some of the heightened emotion out of memories of trauma.
Alternative and Creative Therapies
Many therapists specialize in creative and alternative practices, such as art therapy, chromotherapy, horse therapy, dancer therapy, and much more. Creative outlets like art and dance help patients express complex emotions. Working through therapy with animals helps patients relax. Animals provide comfort and security as well as a bond with patients, helping them with feelings off self-worth.
Another alternative therapy growing in popularity is mindfulness therapy. Mindfulness means focusing on the present moment. Most people associate it with meditation, a practice that calms the mind and body and helps people get perspective and manage their feelings. Applied to therapy, mindfulness can help people with depression, anxiety, and many other mental health issues.
Therapy has evolved in many different directions. If you’re interested in working with a therapist, find an expert in the type that interests you. You can also get some immediate results by trying mindfulness and meditation on your own, at home. Try the guided beginner meditations available on BetterSleep.
