How Many Types of Therapy Are There?

CBT?

DBT?

EMDR?

These are types of therapy that may sound like absolute gibberish to you if you have never been before (or if you’ve only been to a few generalized sessions).

What are these specific therapies, what are they used to treat, and how do you know if they’re right for you?

Below you’ll see a breakdown of the most common types of psychotherapy used in group therapy, online therapy, in-person therapy, and individual therapy.

After learning what each means and gaining knowledge on what to expect, you’ll be able to better understand your needs and which therapy is right for you.

Keep in mind, at Grouport, you are matched with a group based on what you’re experiencing (anxiety, depression, and so on). The matching process involves a 20-minute consultation with a licensed mental health professional and an initial assessment.

Your group is then designed for its members to practice whatever methods and techniques fit that specific condition. For example, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) is used in our PTSD group because it is specifically developed for reducing the power of traumatic memories. So all of the guesswork of which therapy goes with what is done for you!

Here are the most common types of therapy:

Internal family systems (IFS)

IFS is based on the view that the mind is made up of subpersonalities, each with its own unique viewpoint and qualities, like an inner critic dictating an individual’s thoughts and behavior.

Attachment-based therapy

This therapy explores attachment theory, which is about the different dynamics and bonds you establish through relationships while growing up and throughout your life.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

REBT is a type of therapy that helps an individual identify self-destructive thoughts and feelings and replace them with healthier, more fulfilling beliefs about the self.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps identify and change underlying thought patterns that may be preventing you from living a full, happy life.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

CPT is a specific kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that treats trauma. CPT helps someone who wants to overcome their PTSD learn how to challenge and change unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs related to the traumatic event. An individual is able to view and conceptualize their trauma in different, less negative ways.

Motivational interviewing

This type of therapy is designed to help people find the encouragement to make the positive life changes they’ve been thinking of implementing.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

EDMR is a form of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in which a trained therapist guides an individual to purposefully think about their trauma while moving their eyes back and forth, left to right.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

This acronym implies a commitment for an individual to…

A - accept the reality of their situation

C - choose the direction that aligns with their purpose

T - take action with this direction

Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy is a holistic form of psychotherapy that is focused on a person's present life instead of past experiences. This approach stresses the importance of taking accountability for one’s actions and decisions.

Solution-focused therapy

Solution-focused therapy dives deep into the current problems and issues an individual is experiencing in their life, and creates actionable goals and positive changes to solve those problems.

Narrative therapy

Narrative therapy focuses on becoming the hero of your own story and the narrator of your own life projection. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves shape most of our decisions, and so this therapy stresses the importance of what those stories entail.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

The word “dialectical” means the ability to view topics and situations from different perspectives.

Polyvagal theory

Polyvagal theory, though unproven, is a theory pertaining to the role of the vagus nerve in emotion regulation, social connection and fear response. In simple terms, the health of the vagus nerve can control and strengthen the connection between body and mind.

Exposure therapy

This therapy allows a mental health professional to emotionally and physically face what they find traumatizing so they can learn to cope effectively. Virtual reality is a great introductory technique to the exposure of the triggering event.

Reality therapy

Reality therapy is based around the assumption that mental health issues don’t arise from psychological symptoms, but because people choose behaviors that don’t fulfill them.

Expressive therapies

Expressive therapies often include art therapy, dance movement therapy, and drama therapy. These techniques allow an individual to release and process their issues through positive, creative, constructive experiences.

If you’d like to learn more about the different types of therapy we implement at Grouport, you can contact us here.

Our innovative system ensures you receive the benefits of group therapy in a way that is specifically tailored to your situation, helping you optimize your progress.

Expert-led group sessions are known to empower members to feel less alone, develop critical relational skills, and gain support and wisdom from others that they can apply to all areas of their lives.

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