What Are The Most Commonly-Used Types Of Psychological Therapy?
In this day and age, the demand for psychological therapy is at an all-time high. People are facing all kinds of issues and require the proper coping mechanisms and sounding boards to have in their corner. Now, while the upsides of psychological therapy are extremely well-documented, there are certain types of psychological therapy which are used more frequently than others.
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Now some might wonder why certain variations of psychological therapy are more popular than others. There are a plethora of reasons. Some types of treatment may be more suitable for common issues. The more commonly used psychological therapies may also be older than their less popular counterparts. This is not to say that newer models of psychological therapy are not effective; however, there is still something to be said for psychological therapy treatment which is ongoingly used.
Reviewing Commonly-Used Types Of Psychological Therapy
Having extensive knowledge about which types of psychological therapy methods are most commonly used can provide valuable insight.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a form of treatment which is reserved for individuals with various issues. The issues in question can include but are not necessarily limited to, addiction, anger management, depression, etc. One of the amazing things about group therapy is that it brings people together and creates a dynamic of support and inclusion. Everyone is there for the same purpose and is therefore likely to feel more comfortable with opening up and sharing their struggles with the group.
In addition to togetherness and support, group therapy provides an excellent opportunity for its participants to learn and listen. Hearing about someone else's challenges can be insightful and open up one's eyes. Sometimes, it also helps people to know that they are not alone in this world. The benefits and flexibility which comes along with group therapy are one of the many reasons why group therapy is commonly used.
Interpersonal Therapy
As the name suggests, interpersonal therapy is all about helping individuals who struggle in relationships with other people. This type of therapy is commonly used, largely as a result of its importance. The truth of the matter is that having healthy relationships with other people is extremely conducive to one's success and opportunities in life. Someone who struggles to get along with other people is going to have a tough time, particularly in the workplace and other critical aspects of life.
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Interpersonal therapy largely focuses on the root of the issues which impact the patient's ability to maintain healthy relationships with those around them. The underlying cause can vary depending on a series of factors; however, once the root of the problem is dealt with, the patient can begin to heal and learn some appropriate methods for developing healthy, positive relationships with other human beings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy centers around the weight which thoughts have on each's behavior. If certain behaviors need changing, then one's thoughts must be changed first. In essence, this variation in psychological therapy focuses on helping patients improve their thoughts to change unwanted or undesirable behaviors. Similarly to other types of treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy is all about getting to the root of what causes certain thoughts and then introducing new ways of thinking so the patient can improve their behavior and quality of life.
Taking note of triggers and various patterns in thoughts and behaviors is a part of the cognitive behavioral therapy process. When the reasoning and psychology of thoughts and behaviors are understood, then the therapist can begin working towards changing them. Cognitive behavioral therapy takes time and can be challenging, but when it's all said and done, this type of treatment has a significant impact on the lives of patients.
Family Therapy
As the name suggests, family therapy is a type of treatment which revolves around the family and solving existing issues or struggles. This therapy is more common than most people realize and it plays such a critical role in society. When a family is struggling or unable to get along with one another, nobody wins. If children are involved, the adverse of a family which does not get along can be even more harrowing.
While family therapy is fairly common, it does share a separate distinction from other types of psychological treatment. Put simply; family therapy is only most effective when all members are involved, eager to participate and improve their situation. If only some of the family members are present during sessions, then that will significantly complicate the job of the therapist.
Important Things To Remember About Psychological Therapy
When it comes to psychological therapy, there are some important things which everyone should keep in mind. Having proper awareness can help ensure that the process of psychological therapy is as smooth and as productive as possible.
Being Fully Transparent With Your Therapist Is Critical
Talking about certain experiences or issues can be challenging and even embarrassing. However, when you are working with a therapist, full transparency is so important. Being open and honest allows your therapist to put all of the pieces together, learn about who you are as an individual and then take the next steps which will be beneficial to you. If certain details are altered or omitted, then your therapist will not be able to be of full service to you.
Having An Idea Of Your Desired Endgame Is A Good Idea
Whenever you're taking therapy, having an idea of what you hope to get from the session is so important. This doesn't mean that you have to have every single thing figured out, but having a general idea of areas in which you would like to improve can be helpful for both you and your therapist. At the beginning of your sessions, your therapist may ask what you're hoping to get from treatment or which areas which you think could use the most improvement.
Be Open To Feedback From Your Therapist
Taking therapy is an amazing step towards improving your quality of life. Now that you have embarked on this journey, your openness to what your therapist has to say is going to be so important. Sometimes, your therapist may recommend certain lifestyle changes which may not be comfortable. They may advise you to make a different decision and reconsider patterns which you have grown accustomed to. This may be difficult, but ultimately, your therapist has your best interest at heart. It is their job to help you evolve into a better version of yourself.
Of course, being open to what your therapist has to say does not mean that you can't ask questions. It also doesn't mean that you should just nod and say OK. If something which is being said truly doesn't sit right with you, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with communicating this to your therapist. Different things work for different people. The more your therapist gets to know you and build rapport with you as a patient, the better the service they can provide to you.
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Improvements Take Time
Understanding that the therapeutic process takes time to run its course is one of the most advantageous things to remember as you embark on this journey. Sometimes people go into therapy expecting a quick and instant fix, but psychological therapy simply doesn't work that way.
It takes time for your therapist to get to know you, understand your situation and what brought you to therapy. It takes time for the changes which they recommend to be implemented, and that's understandable. Issues don't develop within the blink of an eye, and they also aren't resolved in the blink of an eye. Remaining patient, open-minded and receptive as you go through this journey is going to be very beneficial to you, both in the short-term and in the long-term.
A Final Word
Psychological therapy is so very broad with a multitude of variations. Certain types of treatment will work for certain individuals, while others are better suited for others. At the end of the day, when you're working with a therapist, you're doing so for your improvement and benefit. Going through this process will allow you and your therapist to get to the root of the issues which exist. Once the underlying issues have been discovered, then you can begin to heal and improve the quality of your life.
If you are interested in taking therapy or simply would like to have someone to talk to, then you've come to the right place. Here at BetterHelp, we have an awesome team of world-class professionals who would be more than thrilled to work with you. Regardless of who you are or what you may be going through, everyone needs help sometimes, and there is no shame in admitting this. It's one of the strongest, bravest decisions you can make.
Therapy and help will always be available to those who ask. You can get started with BetterHelp at any time from anywhere simply by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the different types of psychological therapies?
The different types of therapy are:
- Psychodynamic and Psychoanalysis Therapies. This is a person centered therapy that focuses on changing problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by exploring their unconscious beliefs and motivations. Therapies that are psychoanalytically inclined usually involve a close and mutual working relationship between a therapist and patient. Therapist find a treatment that suits the personality of their patient. This therapy doesn’t involve whole family systems.
- Behavior Therapy. This method centers on the role of learning in developing both abnormal and normal patterns through behavior.
The first known psychotherapist, Ivan Pavlov, made vital contributions to this type of psychological therapy when he discovered associative learning or classical conditioning. The famous Pavlov's dogs, for instance, were preconditioned with a bell that indicates the arrival of their meal. After a while, the dogs began to salivate to the sound of the bell without sighting or tasting any food.
- Cognitive Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy cbt centers on the thoughts of people rather than their actions.
Cognitive therapists know that the origin of dysfunctional behaviors and emotions lies in a person's thought patterns. When people change the way they think, they can invariably change their feelings and actions which can result in personal growth. If you decide to find a therapist in this field, expect your intentions to be examined. Also find a treatment centre that is certified before making a choice. Careful decision making ensures your therapist find a treatment that is tailored to your needs.
Humanistic Therapy. Humanistic therapy is a method that focuses on the capacity of an individual to make informed decisions and maximize their potentials to promote personal growth.
- Renowned philosophers, such as Søren Kierkegaard, Martin Buber, and Jean-Paul Sartre, immensely contributed to humanistic therapy.
- Three of the most influential types of humanistic therapy include Client-centered Therapy, which does not see therapists as the ultimate authorities of the inner experiences of their clients. Instead, the therapists should help their clients experience positive changes by highlighting their interest, care, and concern.
- Gestalt therapy focuses on what it terms "organismic holism," the significance of being conscious of the present moment and being responsibility-compliant.
- Existential therapy emphasizes the search for purpose, self-determination, and free will.
Holistic or Integrative Therapy.
Several therapists use more than one approach to psychological therapy. They mix the basics of the other psychological therapy approaches and formulate a treatment that is tailored to each of their client's needs. Also holistic therapy involves both an individual of family systems.
What Are the Two Main Types of Treatment For Psychological Disorders?
Biomedical Therapy and psychotherapy are two types of therapy approaches used in the treatment of mental health illnesses, like schizophrenia, anxiety, borderline personality disorder and depression. While biomedical therapy entails medical procedures and medication that address various psychological illnesses like bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy employs different approaches to help people overcome their problems and augment their personal growth.
What Are the Four Types of Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy has different approaches. Each individual has a method that works best for him or her. Most therapists normally utilize more than one of these approaches when addressing the problem solving capacity of their patient. Before find a therapist that specializes in this field you should know the four types of psychotherapy:
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a goal-oriented, short-term therapy that centers on the bridge between our cognition (thoughts) and our behaviors (actions). It positively changes the thought patterns that lead to incapacitating, unproductive, and unhealthy behavior.
Psychotherapists normally employ this method when handling people with depression, anxiety, phobias, or stress. Also, it is popular among individuals that want to fully recover from harmful addictions and habits, like gambling, overeating, or smoking.
2. Psychodynamic Therapy
Of all the types of therapy psychodynamic therapy focuses on how some relationships and life events, both present and past, influence your present choices, relationships, and feelings. It intends to help people understand and acknowledge repressed emotions and negative feelings to help them address internal psychological struggles and improve their relationships, self-esteem, and life experiences. To find a therapist in this field is to make a worthy investment into your mental health.
3. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavior therapy. Its main goal is to provide people with the requisite skills to live mindfully, improve their relationships, handle stress, and control their emotions. Originally developed to treat people living with a borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy is now employed to treat different psychological conditions and is thought to be particularly important for people with apparently intense negative, uncontrollable emotions.
4. Humanistic/Experiential Therapy
Unlike the behavioral-centric therapies discussed above, experiential/humanistic therapy centers on the nature of an individual instead of the mix of different behaviors that constitute a certain psychological cluster. The holistic approach of this therapy type focuses on the individual as a whole, particularly their ability to find meaning, heal, and grow via self-exploration. People living with depression anxiety eating disorders, and unhealthy self-esteem normally seek this method. Usually most therapist find a treatment that effectively manages any mental disorder they are faced with.
What Are The 4 Types Of Talk Therapy?
According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the four types of talk therapy are:
- Dialectic behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT)
- Humanistic therapies
- Psychodynamic therapies
Other Types of Talking Therapy
• Arts Therapies
Art therapy attachment based method is one that helps you to express your feelings through art (music, drawing, painting, dance, or theatre). For instance, music therapy will help you release repressed emotions and make you feel happier.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a method of exciting your brain by undergoing some form of eye movement that appears to render distressing memories less severe. It is useful for addressing different traumas, like emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, injuries and accidents, stage fright, addictions, and phobias.
- Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy deals with how you can link your state of mind with how you relate to the people around you. It is a helpful therapy for people with different types of depression and eating disorders. Find a treatment center that is competent enough to handle your needs. Also, you can find a support group that you can freely relate to.
- Gotham Method
The objective of the Gottman Method is to neutralize contradictory verbal communication, boost affection, respect, and intimacy, get rid of barriers that generate a feeling of dormancy in contradictory circumstances, and form a keen sense of understanding and empathy.
What Type Of Psychotherapy Is Best For Anxiety?
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy cbt is the most commonly used types of psychological therapy used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Of all the types of therapy studies have revealed that it is also effective for treating generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, etc. To find a therapist you can explore a renowned mental health treatment provider called BetterHelp. Most people find a treatment centre that is closer to their home, but with BetterHelp access is not a barrier. Also with this online platform you can relief nerves that come when you choose to find a support group.
Is Psychological Therapy Effective?
Research shows that psychological therapy is effective for different behavioral and psychological health problems. The standard effects of psychological therapy are greater than the effects formed by several medical solutions.
The most important step in addressing a psychological disorder is the recognition of the presence of the problem. Acceptance and commitment therapy is what some people like to call this. If you suspect that you have a psychological problem, find a therapist and relate your ordeals to him/her. If you don't take proactive steps to fix a looming psychological condition, it may affect some critical skills like your problem-solving ability.
Parent child interaction therapy incorporates communication that strengthens family relationship over time. This kind of therapy is more intimate than what you get when you find a support group.
What Are Examples of Psychological Disorders?
The term psychological disorder is now and then used to refer to psychiatric disorders or mental disorders. They are patterns of psychological or behavioral symptoms that influence different facets of life. Examples of psychological disorders are:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Communication Disorders
- Mania
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Kleptomania
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depressive Episodes
- Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders
- Depression Anxiety Eating Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Insomnia Disorder, etc.
If you suspect you are living with a psychological disorder, you should find a therapist that specializes in the relevant field and get help.
What's the Difference Between A Psychologist And A Psychotherapist?
A psychologist is a person with a degree in psychology that studies the human mind and makes certain deductions based on his behavior analysis or assessment of his client. The field of psychology is so great that it now has different specialties: organizational, educational, social, behavioral, psychopathology (the study of a psychological anomaly), etc.
On the other hand, a psychotherapist is a psychologist or a physician who has undergone some interpersonal psychotherapy training to help in the mental health treatment of their clients. Sigmund Fred is the first known psychotherapist, and psychoanalysis is the first psychotherapy school.
