What are the different types of therapy?

Behavioural therapy is based on the theory that you can ‘unlearn’ learnt behaviour or change that behaviour, without focusing on the reason behind the original behaviour. People with compulsive and obsessive disorders, fears, phobias and addictions may benefit from this type of therapy. Originally, behaviour therapy and cognitive therapies were distinct from each other. They have tended to be combined to produce what is now known as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy or CBT.

Therapy for children and young people aims to provide support with social, emotional or behavioural concerns. Children and Young People's Therapists have specialist knowledge, skills and training to work with the client group.

This is an example of an Integrative approach. It is a short term, structured and directive therapy which explores the client’s language and thinking, and also the link between historical, cultural and social factors on how they function. It then encourages the client to develop the skills to change destructive patterns of behaviour and negative ways of thinking and acting. It was devised to fit NHS needs for short term treatment of a variety of problems. It requires specialist training.

CBT has become very well known as a treatment of choice within the NHS for symptoms of anxiety and depression. It seeks to change distressing behaviour relatively quickly by challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs and teaching the client to use coping strategies in the future. It aims to be ‘scientific’ by assessing and measuring change and does not prioritise finding original causes or exploring hidden potential. People with compulsive and obsessive disorders, fears, phobias and addictions tend to benefit from this type of therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapists believe that while it is important to have a good, trusting relationship, but that is not enough in itself. A willingness to do homework tasks in between sessions is considered very important.

Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviours, not external things, like people, situations, and events. Originally, behaviour therapy and cognitive therapies were distinct from each other. They have tended to be combined to produce what is now known as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy or CBT.

Existential therapy is a style of therapy that places emphasis on the human condition as a whole. It focuses on the anxiety that occurs when a client confronts the conflict inherent in life.

Existential therapy is based upon the fundamental belief that all people experience intrapsychic conflict due to their interaction with certain conditions inherent in human existence, which are known as givens. The theories recognize at least four primary existential givens: Freedom and associated responsibility; Death; Isolation; Meaninglessness.

Confrontation with any of these 'givens' can fill an individual with a type of dread commonly referred to as existential anxiety. This anxiety is thought to reduce a person’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual awareness, which may lead to significant long-term consequences.

Many clients find that being helped to face their anxieties and negative thoughts, and realising that these are part of being human, enables them to move forward in life and deal with life’s problems in their own way. Helping the client focus on personal responsibility for making decisions, the therapist may integrate some humanistic approaches and techniques.

Family therapy explores family relationships. It works by looking at the family as a whole, rather than working with a single person in the family unit. The focus is on how families interact together and the therapist's aim is to involve the whole family in finding positive solutions. It requires specialist training.

Gestalt therapy places a lot of emphasis on helping the client understand their non-verbal and body language, here-and-now behaviour and potential for positive change. The client will be encouraged, and sometimes challenged, to accept responsibility for their actions, decisions and feelings. It is likely to be suited to people who are willing to try to do this. Modern Gestalt therapy is not, however, necessarily a ‘confrontational’ approach.

Hypnotherapy uses the technique of hypnosis to induce a deep state of relaxation during which the unconscious mind is highly receptive to new ideas. Accessing this part of the mind through hypnosis can help to change behaviour, attitudes and emotions, as well as manage pain, anxiety, stress-related illnesses and bad habits, including promoting personal development. To find out more, visit our partner organisation the National Hypnotherapy Society.

An increasing number of counsellors describe themselves as ‘Integrative’. This means that rather than specializing in one traditional approach, they seek to combine aspects of different approaches to provide the most effective way of working.

Many counsellors describe what they do as integrative without following a specific integrative model. They should be able to explain clearly to you how you will work together and what you can expect.

Internal Family Systems therapy is a gentle yet powerful practice guided by the wisdom of your internal system. You will come to know the multiple parts of your mind and learn about the valuable qualities that each contains. You’ll be able to help parts which are causing conflict or feeling unhappy and find and heal parts which have been wounded and suppressed. This evidence-based method can bring transformation and healing to your entire system.

Please note: IFS training alone would not meet current criteria for the Accredited Register.

This is an example of an Integrative approach originating in behaviour therapy. This approach uses broader techniques by looking at how the client functions overall in many areas of their life. The therapist is specifically trained to choose techniques most likely to be helpful and these are likely to include assertiveness training, anxiety management and visualisation.

The theory of NLP is broken down into three layers:

• Neuro involves creating our own mental map of the world.
• Linguistic involves how we each give meaning to the information.
• Programming involves how we respond to the meaning we have given to information.

NLP techniques are often used to bring about change and improve our personal growth, development and performance.

This approach is based on the idea that there are certain therapeutic conditions which are the key to successful personal growth. Most counsellors will have learnt about the ideas of Carl Rogers, who emphasized the importance of the counsellor being warm, empathic, non-judgmental and non –directive. A client in ‘pure’ person-centred counselling is particularly likely to feel accepted, supported and encouraged.

Psychoanalysis originated with the work of Sigmund Freud, from which many different theories and ways of working have developed. It deals with the exploration of the unconscious mind, and requires a long specialist training. The analyst can make you aware of unconscious patterns so you can change them. Your relationship with the analyst is important as it can highlight your patterns of behaviour within relationships generally.

Psychodynamic counselling developed form psychoanalysis. It focuses on the unconscious mind and past experiences, and explores their influence on current behaviour. You will be encouraged to talk about childhood relationships with parents and other significant people. As part of the therapy you may transfer and pass on deep feelings about yourself, parents and others to the therapist. Although psychodynamic counselling can be practised in a short series of sessions, it is more usual for it to be a relatively lengthy process. It is likely to appeal to people who are interested in exploring their own unconscious processes and who can accept that the changes they are seeking may take time to achieve.

Psychosexual and Relationship Therapists are Relationship Therapists who have undertaken further specialist training to equip them to work specifically with a range of sexual difficulties, both physiological and psychological, as well as relationship problems arising from sexual issues.

Relationship Therapists, sometimes known as Relationship or Couple Counsellors, work with clients to find a way through difficulties they may be facing in their intimate/personal relationship/s. They work primarily with adult couples, though may also see individuals, families, young people and children. The focus is on interpersonal as well as intrapersonal issues. Working with more than one client in the consulting room requires the ability to work with the dynamics of clients’ relationship with each other. Issues of contracting and confidentiality may be more complex than with individual work. Practitioners need to have undergone specialist training.

This kind of therapy focuses on a particular issue and promotes positive change, rather than dwelling on the issue or past problems. You are encouraged to focus positively on what you do well, your strengths and resources and to set goals to achieve the changes you want to make. It is likely to appeal to people who prefer a highly practical, goal-oriented approach to problem-solving.