• Mental Health

What are the Different Types of Psychotherapy?

There is no one-size-fits-all for therapy. Traumatic life events and big changes can cause unexpected stress that can feel overwhelming to deal with on your own. Many people turn to talk therapy or psychotherapy for support and actionable steps to get better.

During a psychotherapy session, you can speak with a licensed mental health professional about concerns about your mental health. Some people may not be comfortable with the traditional form of psychotherapy. 

The four major types of psychotherapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, humanistic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

How Does Psychotherapy Work?

Psychotherapy can help with a wide range of mental and emotional issues. People with depression and anxiety disorders can use psychotherapy to manage their conditions. 

Other health conditions that psychotherapy can help with include:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Eating disorders

• Sleep disorders

• Schizophrenia

• Dissociative disorders

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Even if you don’t have a mental health condition, talk therapy can help with finding coping strategies for the following concerns:

• Stress

• Substance abuse

• Relationship problems

• Medical diagnosis

• Loss of a loved one 

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy – also known as talk therapy – is a form of treatment for mental health conditions. It involves sitting down with a mental health professional to discuss how to manage thought processes and emotions. 

You can choose a virtual or in-person healthcare provider. Psychotherapy prioritizes finding solutions to negative thoughts and feelings. 

While various types of psychotherapy are meant for long-term care, others can be used as short-term therapy to address specific issues. Many types of psychotherapy offer an individual approach or a group setting. Families and couples can have therapy with each other to address issues.

What is Supportive Psychotherapy?

While it’s not as researched as other types of psychotherapy, supportive psychotherapy gives people a safe space to share thoughts, feelings, and emotions with a licensed healthcare provider. Unlike other types of psychotherapy, there is no aim to change current behavior.

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on a better understanding of the self. While psychodynamic therapy can treat a wide range of mental health conditions, it’s most often used to treat depression, anxiety, and some types of personality disorders.

A healthcare provider may speak with you more about the unconscious thoughts and feelings you experience. They may also discuss your childhood with you to better understand why certain conflicts occur.

Another component of psychodynamic therapy is dream analysis. A licensed mental health professional may ask you about the details of vivid dreams to have a clearer understanding of how your mind works. 

Psychodynamic therapy may also explore additional themes like the role of the ego, repeating patterns of behaviors, and coping strategies for anxiety. 

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common types of psychotherapy. The main goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to find coping strategies for negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on exploring genetic, social, and psychological factors that may impact concerns you have about your mental health.

This type of therapy can be used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. A healthcare provider may also recommend CBT for managing other conditions like: 

• Sleep disorders

• Personality disorders

• Chronic pain

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Eating disorders

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is used to help people better regulate their emotions. The goal of therapy is to prevent destructive behaviors and negative emotional responses. Mindfulness techniques and methods for dealing with conflict are often taught in DBT.

This type of therapy is most often used for people with borderline personality disorder. Other health conditions DBT can be used for include:

• Major depressive disorder

• Bipolar disorder

• Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Eating disorders

In some cases, a licensed mental health professional may also prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan. 

What is Humanistic Therapy?

The humanistic therapy approach focuses mainly on self-actualization or how to become a better version of yourself. This approach can be especially beneficial for people dealing with low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, depression, and panic attacks. 

The main techniques used in humanistic therapy are gestalt therapy and person-centered therapy.  Both of these techniques emphasize helping the person to create coping mechanisms that work best for them.

Gestalt therapy focuses on current feelings and experiences without spending a lot of time analyzing the past. This may include role-playing events in your life and using exercises to understand them. Person-centered therapy is about providing support without giving a set direction for the next steps.

Other types of humanistic therapy are:

• Existential therapy: A focus on helping a person make sense of the world around them based on their values and beliefs.

• Transpersonal therapy: An approach that focuses on subconscious thoughts and your perception of the self.

• Transactional analysis: For people who want to improve their relationships with others, this type of humanistic therapy helps with focusing on ego and self-awareness.

• Phenomenological therapy: This humanistic approach is about moving forward and focusing on direction and purpose.

• Compassion-focused therapy: This type of therapy helps people with low self-esteem and high self-criticism show more kindness to themselves.

What is Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)?

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term therapy that focuses on environmental and genetic factors that may trigger changes in your mental health. A mental health provider may also analyze how current relationships may negatively affect your mental health.

IPT typically lasts between twelve to sixteen weeks. It’s often used to treat the following health conditions at any age:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Bipolar disorder

• Mood disorders

• Chronic fatigue 

• Eating disorders

What is Mentalization-Based Therapy?

Mentalization-based therapy is a long-term form of therapy that focuses on a person’s perceptions of the world through mentalizing. Mentalizing is the process of thinking introspectively and critically about relationships, situations, and the environment around you.

This form of therapy is primarily used to treat BPD. However, it can also be used for other mental health conditions and for people who struggle with unhealthy attachments. 

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) involves a series of repetitive eye movements to help with emotional reactions. During an EMDR session, a healthcare provider stimulates the brain with sound or eye movements. 

It’s commonly used to help people manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR is controversial and is not typically offered by all mental health professionals.

What Medications are Prescribed with Psychotherapy?

Whether or not your healthcare provider adds medication to your treatment plan depends on the mental health condition you have and how effective psychotherapy is for you on its own. 

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. 

The following medications are often prescribed in combination with psychotherapy:

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Beta blockers

• Benzodiazepines

Be sure to let a healthcare provider know if you experience any side effects while taking prescription medications. They may be able to offer alternative medications or find other methods of treatment.

What are Additional Psychotherapy-Related Treatments?

Some people have therapy pets that help with emotional regulation and stability. Trained cats and dogs are often used at hospitals for patients with various health conditions to lift spirits. For people with anxiety, sessions with a therapy pet have been shown to help decrease high levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

How Can You Find a Therapist?

Any licensed mental health professional like a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can provide psychotherapy treatment. When looking for a licensed mental health professional, it’s important to find somebody who understands your background and cultural experiences. 

A consultation can help you determine whether or not a healthcare provider is a good fit for you. Many mental health providers offer free consultations. During a consultation, you briefly meet with a mental health professional to discuss why you are pursuing therapy and what you look for in a therapist.

Your health insurance may not cover certain mental health professionals in your area. Be sure to double-check with your insurance provider before reaching out to a healthcare provider.

Where Can I Learn More About Caring for my Mental Health?

There are many options for caring for your mental health and learning about mental health online. If you don’t have health insurance, LifeMD has resources for taking the first step toward learning more about mental health.

LifeMD works with insurance plans that cover mental health services for at least 95% of our patients. Still, there are tips and alternate options for care for people without health insurance.

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