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Therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach to emotional healing. You are unique and what may work for someone else may not be a fit for you. You may hear some terminology used to describe certain therapy to address the following issues and illnesses:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Relationships
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Trauma

Here are some of the most popular ones used out of more than 400 available:

Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic Theory has been primarily used to treat major depression and other serious psychological disorders (Driessen et al., 2013). It has been used to treat addiction, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders as well. Knowing that other theories are used for these same disorders, let’s take a look at what sets this approach apart.

The focus on repressed emotions and their role in behavior, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making give a patient a new way of understanding themselves. A therapist talks with each patient to help reveal these repressed emotions.

By allowing a patient to speak about whatever comes to mind freely, new insights can be revealed. The approach helps people who are aware of their problems but are not able to overcome them on their own.

Sigmond Freud is known for his work in developing a therapeutic technique wherein the therapists focus on the unconscious and how it manifests in a person’s behavior. The approach has shifted since the time of Freud and is one of the most widely utilized in therapy.

Behavioral Theory/ Behavior Modification

This type of intervention works from the belief that behavior is learned and that it can be modified through interventions with a therapist. These techniques are used to treat many kinds of maladaptive behavior. Exposure Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Social Learning Theory all draw on Behavior Theory.

Behavior Therapy is not recommended for major psychological dysfunction, such as major depression or schizophrenia.

Cognitive Theory

Based on the premise that spontaneous thoughts create beliefs that result in emotional response, psychological response, and behaviors. Eliminating psychological distress is the purpose of this technique.

This is a solutions-oriented therapy that uses present day thinking and is utilized for a wide range of problems. Therapists have treated depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, relationship dysfunction, and many other problems using this theory (Hofmann, Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer, & Fang, 2012).

Humanistic Therapy Theory

These types of therapists guide patients to solve their own problems. At the core is a trusting environment so that a patient can share without judgement and be their authentic self. The ultimate goal being self awareness and acceptance to find fulfillment and purpose.

How long with therapy last?

The answer lies in the severity of the issues, the therapy approach utilized, the clients and therapist preferences and of course, external environmental factors that may impact the timing of the therapy. However for most concerns, 12 weeks is the typical time it takes to see results. Therapy can be shorter or much longer than that, depending on the unique circumstances and preferences of each patient.

There are a few therapies that are only short-term:

• Coherence Therapy (Depth-Oriented Brief Therapy)
• Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Therapy
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Long-Term Therapy

A client may decide to extend therapy, due to evolving goals or for mental health maintenance.

Multicultural Counseling

To address the needs of minorities and people who want therapy that focuses on a specific part of their identity, therapists created psychotherapies for clients of certain groups. Multicultural counseling incorporates an understanding, sensitivity and appreciation of the history, values and experiences of minority groups. It recognizes differences between the counselor and client.

Affirmative Psychotherapy (for LGBTQIA + community members)

Because of a history of mental health professionals pathologizing non-heterosexual orientations and trying to change them, psychotherapists created affirmative psychotherapy that focuses on authenticity and accepting sexual orientation.

Gender Aware Therapy (GAT)

GAT encourages male and female clients to explore gender-related experiences. It incorporates feminist therapy and is a great option for men and women who feel they need to address issues related to their gender.

Feminist Therapy

Feminist therapy acknowledges that women may experience mental health issues as a result of psychological oppression that targets them because of their gender.

Religious Therapy

There are therapists who specialize in working with clients of all religious backgrounds.

Therapy for Certain Life Events

Sometimes therapy is just a way to cope with a rough period of life. Here are some types of therapy that can be used but certainly there are other options that your therapist may used based on your individual preferences or circumstances.

• Addiction Counseling (helping clients beat their addictions and address the related psychological factors; the addiction can be for anything, including drugs, sex, pornography etc.)
• Family Counseling to deal with parent / child communication and problem resolution
• Divorce Counseling (for couples who want to maintain good relationships and mental health despite going through a divorce)
• Grief Counseling (coping with the death of a loved one)
• Postpartum Counseling (coping with life changes and emotional adjustment after having a child or postpartum depression)
• Sex Therapy (treating sexual dysfunction when there is no medical reason for the dysfunction)
• Therapy for Infidelity (coping with the aftermath of an affair and deciding whether to end or heal the relationship)
• Therapy for Miscarriages (coping with the emotional pain and trauma of a miscarriage)
• Therapy for Pregnancy (coping with body and life changes during pregnancy)

Which Therapy Combination is Best for You?

It depends on you and your preferences, cultural biases and more. Are you a problem/ solution thinker? Do you have past experiences that keep you from fulfillment today? The approach is just a tool and the above types of techniques can be used alone or in combination again, depending on you and your individual circumstances. Your therapist should be able to guide you to the type of therapy that’s best for you.

What else does SofaChats offer?

SofaChats has self assessment tools that you may want to utilize to prepare for or self correct in addition to your therapy sessions. These tools are widely used by therapist as “homework” prior to or in between sessions. They are provided to guide you or help you document your triggers or how you’re feeling which will certainly help in your journey to feel better.