People discuss therapy, but I don’t think the many different types of therapies are discussed. It’s important to choose the right type of therapy for you because the wrong type could be useless and even worse, lead to your mental illness getting worse. To continue going along with mental health awareness month, I decided to do a quick rundown of some of the different types of therapies. Please note, this is just some of them and I suggest discussing with a professional to find out more information and which one is better for you.

Definition: Psychotherapy- or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties (psychiatry.org)

There are 5 main different types of psychotherapy:

Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic: Discovers patients unconscious meanings and motivations to help change problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts.

subtypes- brief psychodynamic therapy

    psychodynamic family therapy

    art/music

Behavioral: focuses on learning roles in developing both normal and abnormal behaviors.

    subtypes- desensitizing

cognitive behavioral

aversion

Cognitive: emphasizes what people think rather than what they do. (typically linked together with behavioral therapy aka cognitive-behavioral)

Humanistic: emphasizes people’s capacity to make rational choices and develop to their maximal potential.

    subtypes- client-centered

 Gestalt

existential

Integrative/Holistic: blended elements from different approaches to tailor treatments according to the clients’ needs.

Please remember that I’m not a professional and barely hit the surface of the different therapies. If you think you need help, please go to a professional and find out what type of therapy might be best for you.