A Guide To Therapy Specialties And Techniques

Opening up to a therapist can be a difficult and vulnerable experience, but knowing that your provider has specialized expertise may make the process easier. There are numerous types of therapists, each relying on various techniques to treat their clients. Understanding what types of therapy are available, as well as the difference between specialties and modalities, can help you choose a therapist who meets your needs.

Therapy specialties vs. therapy modalities

Therapy specialties and modalities may seem interchangeable, but the two concepts have several key differences, primarily that a therapy specialty can refer to a particular therapist’s career focus, which is often shapred by their training and doctoral degree. A modality can refer to a therapist’s approach to treating patients. For example, a therapist may specialize in personality disorders, while the modality they may use could be dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

There are a variety of common therapy specialties that utilize a range of therapeutic techniques and modalities. These include: 

Addiction therapists

Mental health professionals specializing in substance use disorder treatment may be called addiction therapists. Although addiction therapists can have many qualities with other therapy specialties, including in education, qualifications, and experience, their expertise typically lies in treating substance use disorders. The major difference is that mental health therapists specialize in treating mental illness, while addiction therapists specialize in treating substance use disorder. 

Addiction therapists may use specific therapeutic interventions or modalities that have been proven effective in treating substance use disorders. For example, a 12-step program may be used as a treatment technique for substance abuse, as well as the “recovery ladder” technique, which is based on the main principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Relationship therapists

As the name suggests, relationship therapists specialize in helping couples work through problems in their relationships. Also referred to as couples therapists or marriage counselors, relationship therapists help couples work through relationship challenges relating to communication, conflict, and intimacy during their therapy sessions. Relationship therapists are trained not only to help individuals, but also to learn specific information and techniques to help those who are in a relationship. Relationship counselors may also have specialized clinical training in affairs and infidelity, premarital counseling, and polyamorous relationships, among other areas. 

A wide variety of evidence-based techniques are commonly used in relationship therapy including the Gottman Method, emotion-focused therapy, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), narrative therapy, and imago relationship therapy. 

Family therapists

Family therapists are mental health professionals who assist families in working through challenges relating to communication, empathy, and familial roles. Like relationship therapists, family therapists are trained in individual therapy, but their expertise typically lies in family therapy. People who seek family therapy may have someone in the family who struggles with substance use disorder. The family may also be trying to cope with grief from losing a loved one or dealing with the aftermath of a family's affair. These situations, among many others, can be discussed and improved with the help of a mental health professional.

Some techniques commonly used in family therapy include structural therapy, narrative therapy, and strategic family therapy. While each modality takes a different approach, they each have the same goal of improving the functioning of the family unit.  

LGBTQIA+ therapists

Being part of a marginalized community means a person’s lived experience may involve unique problems and circumstances. It’s important that these individuals can get therapy that recognizes the context of their lived experiences.

The modalities used by LGBTQIA+ therapists vary and can depend on the struggles that the individual who has come to therapy is facing. Therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ care may be particularly beneficial for people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity, or those who are experiencing gender dysphoria. 

Eating disorder therapists

Though most therapists are trained to treat eating disorders to some extent, not all therapists and counselors have the experience or skill set needed to effectively treat eating disorders. This is where seeing an eating disorder specialist can be helpful. These mental health professionals may be CEDS (Certified Eating Disorders Specialist) or CEDCATS (Certified Eating Disorders Creative Arts Specialist), and these certifications may allow them to understand and more effectively treat eating disorders.

Eating disorder treatment modalities vary, but some common examples include cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy, art therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive remediation therapy.

Culturally informed therapists 

In an ideal world, all therapists and social workers would be sensitive and informed about how an individual’s cultural background can shape their life and impact their mental health. While all therapists may not be culturally competent, many are working toward providing mental health assistance while considering a person’s race, ethnicity, cultural background, and gender. Connecting with a culturally sensitive therapist can be particularly beneficial for individuals that aren’t part of the dominant culture potentially helping them feel more seen and understood. 

Culturally informed therapists, sometimes referred to as multicultural therapists or counselors, may utilize any modality that they believe could be beneficial to the person they’re working with. 

Depression specialists

Research from 2020 shows that 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults in the U.S. have experienced depression. This study indicates the dire need for mental health professionals who are well-versed in depression and other depressive disorders. While many therapists are qualified to treat depression, it’s possible that visiting a therapist who specializes in depression can lead to more positive recovery outcomes. People who receive effective therapy for depression may experience improvements in their mood, relationships, energy levels, and symptoms. 

While many therapeutic modalities can improve depression, studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and supportive therapy are some of the most effective methods to reduce depression symptoms. 

Personality disorder specialists

Personality disorders are mental health conditions that affect the way an individual thinks, behaves, and relates to others. People with personality disorders may have significant mental health challenges and related struggles with work, school, and relationships. Therapy can be an effective way to treat personality disorders.

Personality disorder types include:

• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Avoidant personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Since personality disorders can have a significant impact on individuals and their lives, seeing a therapist who specializes in personality disorders can be one way to have effective treatment. Therapeutic modalities for treating personality disorders vary greatly depending on the specific personality disorder, but some common examples include dialectical behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.

Anxiety specialists

Anxiety is a common mental health condition, with an estimated 31% of adults in the United States experiencing anxiety at some point in their life. Anxiety can range from occasional, minor bouts of anxiety to debilitating anxiety disorders. For many individuals, anxiety can be a barrier to living a fulfilled and enjoyable life. However, getting therapy can be a beneficial step toward treating anxiety, whether it’s minor or severe.

The difference between a general therapist and an anxiety specialist is that the anxiety specialist likely has much more clinical practice and experience working with people with anxiety and anxiety disorders. This extensive experience may translate to more holistic care and potentially quicker or more significant improvement in symptoms. 

One of the most widely used treatments for anxiety is CBT, but other effective modalities include exposure therapy, DBT, art therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy.

Finding the right type of therapy for you

Many different types of therapy specialties and techniques are available to you regardless of your concerns. On top of finding specialized therapy, you can opt for a therapy setting that feels most comfortable to you. Some people may appreciate the social support gained from group therapy in a physical setting, while others may prefer the focused attention of traditional one-on-one therapy. Online therapy can be a convenient option for those with busy schedules or who prefer to speak with a mental health professional from the comfort of their home.

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can connect you with a therapist based on your needs and preferences. With thousands of licensed professionals to choose from, you can match with a therapist who has career experience and expertise in the area you need help with and chat with them through phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging.

The efficacy of online therapy

Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for treating a variety of mental health disorders and addressing other general concerns. In a comprehensive analysis of 17 different studies, researchers concluded that online CBT was more effective than face-to-face CBT at reducing depression symptom severity.  

These outcomes remained unchanged when participants were categorized by age and study location, speaking to the efficacy of CBT regardless of outside factors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people recognize their unhelpful, automatic thought patterns and change them into more positive ways of thinking. This can allow them to adjust their behavior, which may reduce symptoms of some mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.