Therapy Modalities
Comprehensive guide to different types of therapy. Learn about various approaches, who they're best for, and find the right fit for your needs.
Types of Therapy Explained
Each therapy modality has its own approach, techniques, and focus areas. Click on any modality to learn more about it.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Evidence-based therapy focusing on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Highly effective for anxiety, depression, and many mental health conditions.
BEST FOR:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Comprehensive therapy combining acceptance and change strategies. Originally developed for Borderline Personality Disorder, effective for emotion regulation.
BEST FOR:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness-based therapy focusing on acceptance, values, and committed action. Effective for chronic pain, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors.
BEST FOR:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Explores how past experiences and unconscious thoughts influence current behavior. Insight-oriented, longer-term approach.
BEST FOR:
Humanistic Therapy
Person-centered approach emphasizing self-actualization and personal growth. Non-directive, supportive therapeutic relationship.
BEST FOR:
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Highly effective for trauma, PTSD, and processing distressing memories.
BEST FOR:
Family Therapy
Works with entire families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.
BEST FOR:
Couples Therapy
Focuses on improving romantic relationships, communication, and resolving relationship conflicts.
BEST FOR:
Art Therapy
Uses creative expression and art-making as therapeutic tools to explore emotions and promote healing.
BEST FOR:
Play Therapy
Primarily for children, uses play as a medium for communication and therapeutic intervention.
BEST FOR:
Gestalt Therapy
Focuses on present-moment awareness, personal responsibility, and the whole person (mind, body, emotions).
BEST FOR:
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Goal-oriented, future-focused approach that emphasizes solutions rather than problems.
BEST FOR:
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Time-limited therapy focusing on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning.
BEST FOR:
Narrative Therapy
Helps people separate themselves from their problems by externalizing issues and rewriting their life stories.
BEST FOR:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to prevent depression relapse and manage anxiety.
BEST FOR:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Views the mind as containing multiple sub-personalities or 'parts' that work together to help the individual function.
BEST FOR:
Schema Therapy
Integrative therapy combining elements of CBT, psychodynamic, and attachment theory to address long-standing patterns.
BEST FOR:
Somatic Therapy
Body-centered therapy that addresses the connection between mind and body, focusing on physical sensations and trauma stored in the body.
BEST FOR:
Hypnotherapy
Uses guided relaxation and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness, allowing for therapeutic change.
BEST FOR:
Reiki
Japanese energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and healing through gentle touch or hands-off energy transfer.
BEST FOR:
Yoga Therapy
Therapeutic application of yoga practices to address physical, mental, and emotional health conditions.
BEST FOR:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
8-week program combining mindfulness meditation and yoga to reduce stress and improve well-being.
BEST FOR:
Sound Therapy
Uses sound frequencies, music, and vibrations to promote healing, relaxation, and emotional well-being.
BEST FOR:
Energy Healing
Holistic healing approach that works with the body's energy field to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
BEST FOR:
Compare Therapy Approaches
Not sure which therapy approach is right for you? Compare different modalities side by side.
CBT vs DBT vs ACT
Compare three popular cognitive-behavioral approaches
CBT vs Psychodynamic
Compare structured, present-focused vs insight-oriented therapy
CBT vs Humanistic
Compare structured problem-solving vs person-centered approaches
EMDR vs CBT
Compare trauma-focused therapies
Family vs Individual Therapy
Compare family systems approach vs individual treatment