Other therapies

Compassion-focused therapy

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) looks to help those who may be struggling with feelings of shame and self-criticism. These can often be the driving forces behind other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. 

CFT tries to help you consciously develop your ability to be more compassionate towards both yourself and others by looking at how you think. Working with a compassion-focused therapist can help you to better understand why you feel the way you do, learn to notice and change how you think, and challenge self-blame and negative thoughts.

Equine therapy

Animals have been used therapeutically for thousands of years. Equine therapy is one of many types of animal-assisted therapies used in the UK, alongside therapeutic approaches that use other animals, such as dogs and pigs.

Animals can help people build confidence and develop a greater understanding of their own behaviour. Exercises are set by a therapist and normally require the individual to work with the animal in a way that challenges their way of thinking.

Typically, there is no horse riding involved and, if you don’t want to, you won’t even have to touch the horse. Your therapist will set up different tasks that can help with a variety of issues. Normally, these include leading the horse through a series of obstacles or in a certain direction, requiring creative thinking and careful consideration of how you act, as well as a period of reflection with your therapist. 

Family/Systemic therapy

Families can be complicated. Just as we are all unique, so too are our families and family dynamics. It’s no wonder that things can become strained or tense. 

Family therapy, also known as systemic therapy, works with families and those in close relationships, regardless of whether they are blood-related, to help make positive changes. Looking to improve how family members interact together, family therapy can help individuals to better understand each other, change negative behaviours, and resolve conflicts in a safe, judgement-free environment.

Group therapy

This type of therapy takes place with a group of people going through similar difficulties and is facilitated by one or more therapists. Group therapy can offer emotional support and help develop interpersonal skills.

Group therapy can have a number of benefits that individual therapy may not have. By its very nature, it can provide a support network and the opportunity to meet and talk with others who have had similar experiences or concerns. Helping you to identify maladaptive behaviour, work through emotional difficulties, and provide a supportive environment, group therapy can be particularly effective in helping with addiction, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-harm, and schizophrenia. 

Integrative counselling

Integrative therapy means drawing on and blending specific types of therapies. This approach is not linked to one particular type of therapy alone, as those practising integrative counselling believe there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations.

Interpersonal therapy

With a focus on interpersonal relationships, interpersonal therapy looks at the way we relate to others and how this impacts our mental well-being. The core belief of interpersonal therapy is that psychological symptoms are often a response to the difficulties we have interacting with others - and when these interactions are improved, so are the psychological symptoms.

Helping with addiction, depression, anxiety, bereavement, low self-esteem, and trauma, interpersonal therapy offers the chance to explore issues in-depth, setting goals along the way. Often a longer form of therapy, if you are looking for more of a solution-focused, quick fix, it may not be the best fit. 

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a technique that originated from Buddhist meditation that helps people focus on the present to gain greater awareness of their emotions and improve general well-being. Mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based therapies are becoming popular tools to help those with depression and anxiety.

Psychosexual therapy

Sexual difficulties can make you feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, or reluctant to talk. Psychosexual therapy, also known as sex therapy or PST, offers support from a qualified therapist which addresses a sexual dysfunction or emotional block within a relationship. 

Aiming to help improve your physical intimacy with your partner and manage any difficulties you may be having, sex therapy can provide support to help you feel more comfortable, no matter if your difficulties are physical, psychological, emotional, or situational.

Psychodrama

Providing the opportunity to explore life situations from past, present, and future perspectives, psychodrama combines drama, group dynamics, and role theory to help you gain a new perspective and understanding of your roles in life. 

By working in this way, the significance and meaning of different events can become clearer, allowing you space to understand events better and express your thoughts and emotions. Able to help with most mental health issues, both psychodrama and dramatherapy use drama and theatre techniques in individual and group settings.

Schema therapy

Schema therapy (also referred to as schema-focused cognitive therapy) aims to change negative patterns or beliefs that people have lived with for a long time. First developed to help those who weren’t successful with CBT, schema combines elements of cognitive, behavioural, attachment, psychodynamic, and gestalt therapies. Initially used to treat BPD, it is now used to help with a variety of concerns and conditions. 

Finding the right type of therapy for your needs can be a process that requires both time and research. What works for one individual may not necessarily be effective for another, you can learn more about the different types of therapy through reading, sharing experiences with others, or talking to your doctor or counsellor.