There are dozens of different types of therapy that might be right for you. To make the choice manageable, we broke them down into the factors that make a “type” of psychotherapy (you can use the handy links below to jump around the guide):
In-Person or Online Therapy
The Most Common Types of Therapy
Less Common Types of Therapy
Integrated or Singular Therapeutic Approach (Using Multiple Therapeutic Approaches or Not)
Number of People Involved (Individual, Couples or Group Therapy)
Short-Term [Brief] or Long-Term
Therapy for People of a Certain Sexual Orientation, Race, Income Level, Gender, Religion, Political Ideology and More
Therapy for Certain Life Events, Medical Issues and Situations (Grief Counseling, Divorce, Miscarriages, etc.)
Therapy for Certain Mental Health Issues and Illnesses
Whether you are an aspiring therapist planning your career path or a potential client looking for the type of therapy that best fits your preferences, considering all of these factors is crucial. “Type of therapy” typically refers to therapeutic approach, but this factor is not more important than others. Many clients and therapists value the other factors far more than therapeutic approach.
In-Person or Online Therapy
Most therapists see all or the majority of their clients in person, however, the number of therapists providing online therapy is rapidly increasing.
Regardless of therapeutic approach, online therapy produces results comparable to in-person therapy. There are, however, some types of therapy that are impossible to offer online, including dance therapy and art therapy.
With the exception of severe mental illnesses that require intensive in-person treatment, the choice between online therapy and in-person therapy is a matter of preference.
The Most Common Types of Therapy
There are more than fifty types of therapeutic approaches. Only a few of them are common, though. There are also some that act as broad categories and contain subtypes.
Below are the types you are most likely to encounter. These approaches apply regardless of the other type factors we will explore later in the guide.
Note: Remember, most therapists blend therapeutic approaches and customize an integrated approach for each client.
Client-Centered Therapy [Person-Centered Therapy, PCT, CCT or Rogerian Therapy] (Part of the Humanistic Category of Therapy)
Client-centered therapy focuses as much on the client as possible. The therapist provides little authority or direction. Instead he or she offers subtle guidance and encourages the client to take control of their destiny.
CCT therapists show more concern and care than more analytical therapists. They put more time and effort into empathizing with clients.
Cognitive or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT] (part of the behavioral category)
CBT treats dysfunctional thinking that leads to maladaptive behaviors, mental illness and negative emotion. It focuses on thoughts rather than the client as a person.
Existential Therapy (part of the humanistic category)
Existential therapy emphasizes and helps clients manage aspects of the human condition, including the givens of human existence: isolation, meaninglessness, mortality and freedom. Psychotherapists such as Irvin Yalom derived it from existential philosophy.
Gestalt Therapy (part of the humanistic category)
Gestalt therapy emphasizes personal responsibility and helps clients focus on the present. It also stresses the development of the therapist-client relationship/alliance, the social context of the client’s life, awareness, attitudes and direct feelings and perceptions rather than interpretations.
Psychoanalytic or Psychodynamic Therapy
The psychodynamic approach explores unconscious feelings/thoughts and the impact of the past on the present. It is the oldest type of psychotherapy and closest to what Freud created.
Less Common Types of Therapy
There are so, so many types of psychotherapy. To stop the information from overwhelming you, think about what you most want from psychotherapy. Then scroll through and see which keywords align with what you were thinking.
Note: To make the list manageable, we are mostly focusing on talk therapy for adults. We also excluded forms of psychotherapy that are controversial or do not have sufficient evidence to back their effectiveness.
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy [AEDP]
AEDP explores difficult emotional and relational experiences to develop coping tools that allow better functioning.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT]
ACT helps clients develop mindfulness skills with the goal of consistent values and psychological flexibility.
Adlerian Psychotherapy
This approach improves the ability to adapt to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority relative to others.
Anger Management
This approach teaches clients to identify stressors, remain calm and handle tense situations in a positive and constructive manner.
Bibliotherapy
This approach uses literature to improve mental health and explore psychological issues.
Coherence Therapy [Depth-Oriented Brief Therapy]
Coherence therapy helps clients empathetically and quickly delve into deeply held emotional beliefs.
Collaborative Therapy
In collaborative therapy both the therapist and client use knowledge and experience to make progress.
Compassion-Focused Therapy
This approach encourages people to be compassionate toward themselves and others.
Conflict-Resolution Therapy
This approach teaches clients how to resolve conflicts with great results and minimal stress.
Contemplative Psychotherapy
This approach integrates Buddhist teachings and Western psychotherapy to focus on self-awareness, improve overall health and use wisdom to heal.
Core Process Psychotherapy [CPP]
CPP is a mindfulness-based approach that emphasizes awareness of body and mind for self-exploration and healing.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy [DBT]
DBT uses a problem solving and acceptance-based framework — among other strategies —- usually to treat severe and chronic mental health conditions and issues, including borderline personality disorder, suicidal thoughts, self-harming, eating disorders and PTSD.
Ego State Therapy
Based on psychodynamic therapy, ego state therapy operates under the principle that a person’s psyche is composed of identities and roles he or she takes on. It addresses these identities and the mental health issues they might be connected to.
Emotion-Focused Therapy [EFT]
EFT uses emotions as a source of healing and insight. It is especially effective for moderate depression, issues of childhood abuse and couples in the middle of a conflict.
Holistic Psychotherapy
Holistic psychotherapy integrates other therapeutic approaches and focuses on the relationship between mind, body and spirit.
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy [ISTDP]
ISTDP helps clients permanently change character flaws in a short period of time by releasing emotional inhibitions and discussing the source of character issues.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy [IPT]
IPT focuses on interpersonal issues such as relationships and major life events. Its goal is to improve mood and interpersonal issues within 6-20 weeks.
Journey Therapy
In journey therapy the therapist guides the client on a mental and emotional journey to uncover repressed memories that have created issues in the present.
Jungian Psychotherapy
Jungian psychotherapy focuses on the balance of consciousness and unconsciousness. Clients can become more whole and well-adjusted by achieving this balance and exploring both sides.
Logotherapy
Logotherapy focuses on the pursuit of meaning and purpose in one’s life.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
This therapy combines the best of CBT with mindfulness strategies that help clients assess thoughts in the present.
Motivation Enhancement Therapy [MET]
MET focuses on improving motivations to make positive changes and eliminate maladaptive patterns.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy helps clients interpret their experiences as stories that give meaning to their lives and guide them. It encourages people to identify their skills, values and knowledge so they can use them to live well.
Positive Psychotherapy
This approach helps clients view their illness or issues in a positive way. It focuses on the abilities of the client, inner balance, storytelling and hope.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy [REBT]
REBT helps clients develop rational thinking to facilitate healthy emotional behavior and expression. It is similar to CBT.
Reality Therapy
Reality therapy focuses on present issues and encourages clients to change behavior that might be preventing them from addressing those issues. It operates under the principle that people experience distress when they are not meeting five basic needs: power, love/belonging, freedom, fun and survival.
Redecision Therapy
Redecision therapy helps clients examine messages from caretakers and adults in their childhood, as well as any negative decisions.
Regression Therapy
Regression therapy addresses three layers of consciousness and helps clients align them.
Relational Psychotherapy
Relational psychotherapy helps client become cognitively and emotionally healthy by forming and maintaining fulfilling relationships.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy helps clients identify the cognitive and behavior patterns that are causing or maintaining their mental health issues. It is especially effective in treating borderline personality disorder.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy [SFBT]
SFBT focuses on goals for the present and future rather than addressing the past or symptoms.
Symbolic Modeling
This therapeutic approach uses symbols, progressive questioning, metaphors and modeling to enact positive change.