Exploring Effective Approaches To Therapy

The world of therapy can be a complex space. There may be no right choice regarding the best therapeutic option, as treatment can be highly individualized.

Knowing the strategies a therapist can implement may help you understand which is best for you. That way, you can know what to expect and how therapy might help you reach your goals. Read on to learn more about the approaches you might encounter professionally.

Different approaches to therapy

Mental health professionals may use various approaches to help people overcome multiple psychological challenges. Some example of approaches can include psychodynamic, behavioral, and integrative therapy. Every approach can have its benefits and limitations, and some methods may work better than others, depending on a person’s needs and goals. 

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest methods rooted in psychoanalysis. This method focuses on how life events and relationships can affect a person's feelings, relationships, and choices, potentially helping clients better understand and process emotions.

At its core, it may uncover unconscious meanings and motivations behind certain behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. This method focuses on how unresolved issues from a client's past can influence present challenges and relationships. In short, it seeks to find the “root” of a problem and eliminate it from its source.

How it works

Psychodynamic therapists may use techniques like free association and transference to help clients gain insight and become aware of thought and behavioral patterns. This relationship between a therapist and client may be essential to provide a safe space where clients can explore their deepest thoughts and feelings.

During sessions, clients might discover hidden emotions or memories and likely start to see how unresolved experiences affect current challenges. By addressing underlying problems, clients can learn better ways to navigate difficult situations and create more robust, stable relationships.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a subtype of psychotherapy that focuses on working through dysfunctional thought patterns that can lead to emotional distress and unhelpful behaviors. This approach, developed by prominent figures such as Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, aims to help people recognize and change troubling thoughts to improve overall emotional well-being and actions.

The theory

CBT is the belief that an individual's thoughts can significantly affect their emotions and behaviors. Dysfunctional or irrational thoughts can cause emotional challenges and lead to various mental health concerns. In CBT, therapists can help clients identify troubling thoughts and develop a plan to challenge and replace troubling thoughts with healthier alternatives.

How it works

Professionals trained in CBT work with clients to identify specific thought patterns that may contribute to mental health conditions, such as depression, substance use disorder, and eating disorders. Clients can learn techniques like thought records and cognitive restructuring to evaluate thoughts objectively and replace troubling thoughts with more balanced ones. This process may help reduce emotional dysregulation and improve coping skills

For instance, if someone feels anxious because they think they may fail at a task, CBT can help them question this belief by looking at the facts and possibly suggesting a new viewpoint. By changing their focus from irrational thoughts to more encouraging ones, a client can create a healthier mindset and face challenges with more confidence.

Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy focuses on working through dysfunctional behaviors by identifying the learning processes that may drive them. With the help of a behavioral therapist, you can change actions through new learning experiences, eventually replacing undesirable behaviors with more desired ones.

The theory

Originally from classical and operant conditioning theories, behavioral therapy emphasizes how environmental factors likely shape our actions. Notably, therapists might use certain principles, such as reinforcement and punishment, to guide the development of improved behaviors. Behavioral therapy's primary purpose is to help people change certain habits, which can lead to better daily life and overall happiness.

How it works

Behavioral therapists start by figuring out which behaviors might need to be changed. They might look at an individual’s family background, personal experiences, and anything possibly causing unwanted behaviors.

After identifying areas of need, the therapist may use proven methods to help the person learn new, better behaviors. Examples of these methods include showing how to act, giving rewards, and having repeated exposure to situations that can bring out the problem behavior. 

Humanistic therapy

Humanistic therapy is an approach that focuses on a person's potential and abilities, thus zooming out to personal growth and self-discovery rather than just treating symptoms or diagnoses. Client-centered therapy is typically at the heart of humanistic therapy.

The theory

Humanistic therapy involves the belief that people can possess the capacity to make rational choices, develop to their fullest potential, and have respect for others. Influenced by philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Buber, and Søren Kierkegaard, humanistic therapy practices, including existential therapy, focus on individual experiences, expressions, and perspectives.

How it works

Humanistic therapy is a solid partnership between the therapist and the client. The therapist may create a caring, open-minded, and supportive space where clients can feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. 

In this approach, standard techniques can include active listening, empathetic understanding, and unconditional positive regard. These techniques promote open communication and can help people develop healthy coping skills, grow emotionally, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.

Integrative therapy

Integrative therapy is a flexible and inclusive approach that may blend ideas and techniques from multiple therapy styles based on a person's needs. This type of therapy can be more flexible than just one approach.

The theory

Integrated therapy recognizes that one treatment style may only solve some clients' problems. So, therapists may use a mix of proven techniques that fit the client's unique needs and likes, creating a customized treatment plan. An integrative therapist can better help clients with their feelings, thoughts, bodies, and relationships by being open to different therapy methods.

How it works

At the beginning of therapy, an integrative therapist may look at the client's needs by checking their symptoms, preferences, and goals. The therapist then can pick parts from different therapy styles, like cognitive, humanistic, or behavioral therapies, before making a personalized treatment plan.

During the sessions, the therapist may change their approach as needed, adding additional elements or techniques as the client improves. 

Choosing your preferred method

Consider your needs, preferences, and circumstances when deciding on a counseling method. Many therapists likely adopt an integrative approach, combining elements from various types of therapy to tailor treatment to each client. Below are some factors you may want to consider when selecting a strategy:

• Personal goals and objectives
• Family history and background
• Existing mental health conditions or diagnoses

In-person therapy may be the traditional way to get treatment, but online therapy has become more popular recently because of better, more convenient technology. Both forms of therapy can be effective, depending on a person’s needs and preferences.

Apart from being a possibly more convenient way to receive therapy, studies suggest online therapy effectively treats various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may be just what you need to help improve your overall mental health.