Types of therapy

When deciding on an appropriate counsellor or therapist, it can be useful to understand the different therapies they may use. While all can be effective, you may find one approach more appealing than another, or find that some approaches are better for a certain area of counselling than others.

There is no fix-all approach, it will depend on you, your situation and the therapist.

Psychological therapies generally fall into the following categories: behavioural therapies, which focus on cognitions and behaviours, psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies, which focus on the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved from childhood, humanistic therapies, which focus on self-development in the 'here and now', arts therapies, which use creative arts within the therapeutic process and couples counselling, which looks to resolve issues experienced by couples.

This is a generalisation, and counsellors will typically overlap some of these techniques. Some counsellors or therapists practice a form of 'integrative' counselling, which means they draw on and blend specific types of techniques. Other practitioners work in an 'eclectic' way, which means they take elements of several different models and combine them when working with clients. There are also a number of other therapies that may be used.

Learn more about online counselling and telephone counselling.

Below is a breakdown of some of the different therapies available.

Relationship counselling

Relationship counselling (also known as couples counselling) is a type of therapy that looks to aid communication and facilitate change within an intimate relationship. Typically, the term couples counselling is applied when the therapy is specifically designed for two people within a relationship. With this in mind, counsellors who offer this form of therapy should have the relevant training to help them work with the dynamics of a couple.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

Behavioural therapies are based on the way you think (cognitive) and/or the way you behave. These therapies recognise that it is possible to change, or recondition, our thoughts or behaviour to overcome specific problems.

Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies

Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies are based on an individual's unconscious thoughts and perceptions that have developed throughout their childhood, and how these affect their current behaviour and thoughts.

Humanistic therapies

Humanistic therapies focus on self-development, growth and responsibilities. They seek to help individuals recognise their strengths, creativity and choice in the 'here and now'.

Existential therapy
Gestalt therapy
Human Givens psychotherapy
Person-centred therapy (also known as "client-centred" counselling)
Psychosynthesis
Reality therapy
Solution-focused therapy
Transactional analysis
Transpersonal psychology

Arts therapies

Arts therapies involve the use of creative arts such as music, art, drama and dance - in a therapeutic environment.

Intercultural therapy

Intercultural therapy (also known as multicultural therapy) is a type of talking therapy that is particularly sensitive to and addresses the importance of culturally diverse backgrounds within a therapy setting. This type of counselling focuses on working therapeutically with the individual experience of patients who feel marginalised by the majority culture, due to their individual constructs within social settings.

Intercultural therapy places the importance of cultural experience at the forefront of therapy, and hopes to help individuals from culturally diverse and minority backgrounds to develop a healthy ethnic and cultural identity, possessing self-acceptance and self-esteem.

Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy is an umbrella term for a type of therapeutic treatment that focuses on participating in loosely structured activities that take place in nature. Tapping into the calming properties of the natural world and nurturing this connection is central in the approach to healing.

Ecotherapy works on a holistic basis, and focuses on the activity rather than an individual's health. Activities include conservation, gardening, stargazing, hiking and farming and are led by therapists and counsellors or trained professionals.

Walk and talk therapy

Walk and talk therapy is best described as taking the ‘traditional method of counselling outside.’ It’s a form of talking therapy in which a counsellor and their client will walk together along a local route such as a coastline, public footpath or park whilst conducting the counselling session.

This form of therapy can be particularly helpful for people who find the traditional counselling room claustrophobic, who struggle to find time to get outside and can help shift current perceptions and feelings of being ‘stuck’. Walk and talk therapy can also be helpful for people who struggle to discuss their feelings, and can use nature as a metaphorical expression of emotions.

Internal family systems therapy

Internal family systems therapy, or IFS therapy, is an approach that recognises the different ‘parts’ within us and a core inner Self. It’s thought that our core Self is calm, connected and compassionate, but our access to it can be hindered by other parts which can become extreme in nature due to life experiences. This can lead to unhelpful behaviours, including addiction, perfectionism and self-criticism.

The aim of IFS therapy is to help you acknowledge and communicate with your different parts, understanding them and reconnecting with your core Self. The hope is that the Self will take charge and help the parts work harmoniously together.