Different types of therapy and the benefits of each.
Photo credit - Marcel Straub via unsplash
Many of us think about starting therapy but don’t know where to start or even the type of therapy we need. Individual, couples, group, family; it can be a bit overwhelming for many. While there are many sub types of therapy ranging from Trauma focused to play therapy, all of them have the main focus of helping people to process or work through difficult times/experiences in their lives. I hope this post helps to clarify the main types of therapy for you.
Types of Therapy
When you search for “types of therapy” you will get all kinds of results. CBT, DBT, Adlerian, Person Centered, and the list goes on and on. I am going to make this as simple as I can and break it down into 4 main categories.
Individual Therapy – This type of therapy is done one on one with the individual and the therapist only. The sessions are typically an hour long and consist of processing individual experiences with the guidance of the therapist.
Couples Therapy – This is typically seen when a couple (married, domestic partnership or otherwise) need help processing situations affecting their relationship. These issues can be, but are not limited to, infidelity, domestic violence, miscarriage or communication.
Group Therapy – This is done with a group of individuals (usually limited to 6-8) who share similar experiences. They can be continuous, limited to a certain number of sessions; open (anyone can join at any time) or closed (limited to the initial members until a new group is formed).
Family Therapy – This is done with the family unit. It is usually the people living in the same home. The family utilizes the therapist to help guide them through family dynamics and communication between individual members of the family.
Benefits of Each Type of Therapy
While each type may not be suited for everyone. There are definitely benefits to each type of therapy mentioned.
Individual Therapy – In individual therapy the client (you) gets the benefit of having the therapists (me) undivided attention for the entire session. We spend the session talking about whatever you need help or guidance to process and/or work through. In addition to this it is through therapy, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and their behaviors. This in turn can lead to awareness and compassion for others in your life.
Couples Therapy – In couples therapy, the clients gain an unbiased guide to the problems they are facing. I mentioned a few that could arise earlier. With a therapists help couples are allowed a space to work through these issues without judgement. Utilizing couples therapy can lead to a deeper connection between you and your partner and ultimately bring you closer in your relationship. I also cannot be misleading here either. Couples counseling may also uncover things that cannot be repaired and ultimately lead to a separation.
Group Therapy – In group therapy, a group of individuals (usually limited to around 6-8) meet and process their experiences. There are usually a set of rules that the group agrees to follow. The clients gain not only the therapist as a guide; but also, others in their community that have shared experience and may be able to provide additional resources. Utilizing group therapy can build confidence, and validate your experience as something that you are not alone in.
Family Therapy – In family therapy the family unit attends therapy. There may or may not be missing individuals from that unit depending on their willingness to attend. The main benefit to this type of therapy is that the family gains an unbiased guide to help the individuals navigate family dynamics. This leads to increased communication, understanding and harmony within the family unit.
Final Thoughts
These are only the main categories of therapy that there are. Later this week I am going to dive deeper into the two main types that I provide here at Fractured Light Counseling. There is a massive list of different modalities that fit into each category. It may be beneficial to explore a few of them and talk with therapists that specialize in the ones that interest you to find out more.
Something else to consider is that just because you engage in one of the types listed above, doesn’t mean that you could not benefit from another type. An example is an individual that engages in therapy but repeatedly tell their therapist that they are constantly fighting with their partner. This person and their partner may also benefit from couples counseling. If you are curious and would like to know more, reach out…