Styles of Therapy
1. Psychodynamic Therapy
Rooted in the ideas of Freud and later analysts, this approach focuses on unconscious processes, early experiences, and internal conflicts that shape present behavior. The goal is to increase self-awareness and understand how past relationships influence current patterns. Sessions often explore recurring emotional themes, defense mechanisms, and attachment dynamics.
2. Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy emphasizes personal growth, self-acceptance, and the client’s innate capacity for healing. Therapists provide an atmosphere of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. The focus is on the here-and-now experience rather than pathology or diagnosis, helping clients live more fully and meaningfully.
3. Person-Centered Therapy
Developed by Carl Rogers, this approach sees the client as the expert on their own experience. The therapist’s role is to offer genuine empathy and acceptance, creating a safe relationship that allows the client’s own insights and growth to emerge naturally. It’s a foundational model for much of modern counseling.
4. Existential Therapy
This approach explores life’s deeper questions — meaning, freedom, isolation, and mortality — and how people respond to them. It encourages responsibility and authenticity in facing life’s challenges. Rather than focusing on symptoms, it helps clients confront and create meaning within their lived experience.
5. Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness and integration of thoughts, feelings, and actions. Clients are encouraged to notice how they experience themselves in the “here and now” and to take ownership of their choices. Techniques often include experiential exercises or role-play to deepen awareness and resolve unfinished business.
6. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. It’s structured, goal-oriented, and supported by a large body of research. Clients learn to challenge distorted thinking, develop coping skills, and practice new behaviors to reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.
7. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
A form of CBT, DBT adds elements of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now widely used for emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties. The approach balances acceptance with change, helping clients manage intense emotions while building stability.
8. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps people develop psychological flexibility by accepting thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them. It uses mindfulness and values-based action to promote a meaningful life, even when discomfort is present. The focus is on what truly matters to the person, rather than symptom elimination.
9. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on how relationships and social roles affect mood and mental health. It’s often used for depression and life transitions. Therapy helps clients improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen support systems to reduce psychological distress.
10. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
SFBT centers on what’s working and what the client wants to change, rather than analyzing problems in depth. It’s goal-oriented and future-focused, helping clients identify strengths and build on small successes. Sessions tend to be short and highly practical.
11. Mindfulness-Based Therapies
These approaches (like MBCT — Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) integrate meditation, body awareness, and acceptance into psychotherapy. The goal is to cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity to distressing thoughts and emotions. It’s often used for anxiety, depression, and stress reduction.
12. Trauma-Focused Therapies
Approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or Somatic Experiencing help clients process traumatic experiences safely. They aim to reduce the emotional charge of past trauma and re-establish a sense of safety and control. These therapies often integrate body awareness and grounding techniques.
13. Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
This approach weaves a client’s faith, values, and spiritual worldview into the therapeutic process. The therapist helps the client explore how beliefs can both support and challenge emotional wellbeing. It’s respectful and collaborative, grounding therapy in the client’s personal spiritual framework rather than imposing any particular view.
14. Christian (or Faith-Based) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A variation of CBT that integrates Christian beliefs, scripture, and prayer with evidence-based cognitive restructuring techniques. Clients learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts while grounding their identity and purpose in their faith tradition. This can help create deeper meaning, comfort, and motivation in the change process.
15. Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral counseling blends psychological principles with spiritual guidance, often led by clergy or therapists trained in both theology and mental health. It addresses emotional and relational struggles while considering moral, existential, or faith-based questions. The focus is holistic—mind, body, and spirit.
16. Logotherapy
Developed by Viktor Frankl, logotherapy emphasizes the human drive to find meaning, even in suffering. It’s rooted in existential philosophy but often aligns with spiritual perspectives. Clients are guided to discover personal purpose, values, and sources of meaning that help them navigate adversity.
17. Transpersonal Therapy
This approach integrates psychology and spirituality, exploring states of consciousness, inner transformation, and connection beyond the individual self. It may draw from meditation, mindfulness, and wisdom traditions, aiming to foster wholeness and self-transcendence. It’s less religiously specific and more focused on universal spiritual growth.