Last updated:

November 29, 2023

4

 min read

Understanding the different types of therapy

This blog will help you understand the different types of therapy for mental health and help you discover which therapy is best for you.

Reviewed by
Reyana D’Souza
Written by
Malvika Rathi
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Behavioural Therapy 

The goal of behavioural therapy is to replace harmful behaviours with helpful ones. Behavioural therapy encompasses a wide range of treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and systematic desensitisation. 

The foundation of the behavioural theory is that certain behaviours emerge from prior experiences and that behavioural therapy can help you change your reactions to those experiences. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a popular and highly effective form of talk therapy. In this approach, you engage in structured work with a therapist, attending a specified number of sessions. CBT teaches you to recognise false or harmful thoughts so you can view difficult circumstances more clearly and react to them in a more positive light. 

It is used to treat several mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, irrational fears, eating disorders, and relationship issues. CBT strives to show individuals that they can exert control over their ideas, feelings, and behaviours. With the aid of CBT, you can utilise realistic tactics to adjust your behaviour and confront and defeat habitual beliefs. In turn, this leads to more good behaviours and pleasant sensations.

Psychodynamic Therapy 

Psychodynamic therapy evolved from psychoanalysis, a long-term method of mental health treatment. In psychoanalysis, you can anticipate talking about anything on your mind to identify thinking or behaviour patterns that might be aggravating your distress. Discussing your past, childhood, and any recurring nightmares or fantasies you may be getting is typical. 

You will collaborate with your therapist to investigate how your unconscious mind and your behaviour are related. This calls for looking into your feelings, connections, and mental processes.



Humanistic Therapy 

The core idea of the humanistic approach is to embrace your authentic self to the fullest to live your best life. Its foundation is the idea that every person has a special perspective on the world, and your decisions and behaviours may be influenced by this viewpoint.

Learning to truly embrace who you are and knowing your worldview are key components of humanistic therapy. The cultivation of unwaveringly positive respect for oneself and others helps to achieve this in part. 

When you assume that others will only appreciate you if you behave in a particular way, it's easy to feel inadequate. This sense of worthlessness can therefore have a detrimental effect on how you see both yourself and the outside world. The fundamental tenets of humanistic therapy include that your ideas and behaviours are greatly influenced by how you see yourself and the world around you. 

By providing a secure environment to strive towards personal improvement, humanistic therapy can assist you in overcoming criticism or condemnation from others as well as developing self-acceptance.

Group Therapy 

Group therapy is delivered to a group of patients, and the size of the group typically varies between five and fifteen. In-person or online group therapy is designed to address a particular problem, such as depression, self-esteem issues, or social anxiety.   

This type of therapy offers advantages that individual therapy may not. The group could develop into the patient's support system, and discussing and listening to others might help the individual put his issues in perspective.

Rocket Health recognises the importance of a safe and secure social support system. Our online community CancelStigma is live on discord to cheer for you at all times and help you vent out your frustrations! Click here to join our community. 

Interpersonal Therapy 

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is an evidence-based and time-limited therapeutic technique which is frequently used to treat mood disorders. IPT uses certain tactics to accomplish four objectives: boosting social support, reducing interpersonal stress, enabling emotional processing, and strengthening interpersonal abilities.

In the initial sessions, the therapist gathers information about the interpersonal relationships of the clients and helps them set goals. As the sessions proceed, the therapist guides the patient through a variety of conflict-resolution techniques.

Suggestions on picking the right therapy 

It can be confusing to choose a form of therapy when there are so many promising options available. You could start by consulting your mental health care provider who has given you a diagnosis. They might have better insights into the form of therapy which could benefit you. However, ultimately you have to make the call. 

Different therapists use varied approaches and sometimes mixed approaches as a part of their treatment plan. Sometimes, one approach might not work for you, but that doesn’t mean you give up. Keep an open mind to give a chance to other approaches as well. 

No matter the form of therapy you choose, it comes with its set of challenges. It might be challenging to discuss your thoughts and feelings as well as your mental health symptoms with a stranger, but with time and experience, you could find that it becomes easier. Just keep in mind that your counsellor is an impartial spectator whose goal is to assist you rather than to pass judgement. 

Remember that your relationship with your therapist plays a big part in how well you succeed in treatment. Choose a new therapist if you don't feel like you're building a trusting relationship with your counsellor. Finding the ideal therapist could need numerous tries.

Rocket Health boasts a team of the best therapists in India trained in different types of therapy. Schedule an online consultation from the comfort of your home today to talk to our therapists and take the first step in making mental health a priority!