Psychological science is very broad; one of them is clinical psychology, which focuses on treating people with mental disorders. Individuals who have mental illness will need psychotherapy. There are many different types of therapy that will be right for them to choose, since every type of therapy will focus on a different path.
In this context, therapy refers to the use of psychological systems and methods to treat people with anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Of the many types of psychological therapy, there are five popular types of therapy that many psychologists use.
If you want to know the five most popular types of therapy in psychology, you can dive into our post since we will show you. The information about the most popular types of therapy in psychology is obtained from some internet sources. Okay, let’s check them out!
1) Psychodynamic Therapy
It is known that psychodynamic therapy comes from the psychoanalytic theory popularized by two popular psychological experts, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in the belief in the existence of a connection between our subconscious thoughts, childhood experiences, and our past behaviors that affect how we live our days in the present.
Thus, therapists will use this approach to find the connection between your subconscious mind and your actions in the present. This psychological therapy involves talking about your childhood, dreams or fantasies you have constantly, or whatever is on your mind.
Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover the thought patterns or behaviours that have been troubling you for a long time. This therapy often uses hypnotherapy methods to help access your subconscious. So far, psychodynamic therapy can be used to treat depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
2) Behavioral Therapy
In contrast to psychodynamic therapy that focuses on the influence of the subconscious mind and past events, behavioral therapy focuses on the present and starts from the idea that someone’s behavior is formed by things learned in the past, and some of these behaviors negatively affect their thoughts.
This therapy focuses less on why a behavior began and more on the barriers to changing it and why the behavior is rewarded. That said, behavioral therapy helps change the behaviors that make it hard and negatively affect our thoughts. Of course, behavior changes must be made to break the negative thoughts that are constantly present.
So far, behavioral therapy has been used for treating anxiety disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as behavioral problems resulting from communication difficulties or emotional challenges.
3) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often used to help individuals who struggle with negative thoughts or are looking to break a habit. Aaron Beck, the pioneer of CBT, has the idea that certain thoughts, feelings, or beliefs we have about ourselves or situations in life can also lead to sadness and suffering.
The psychologists who perform CBT have to study a patient’s patterns of thinking and get an understanding of the origins of these patterns. After identifying them, psychologists can work to fight thought patterns that are causing emotional harm, focusing on developing coping mechanisms that will help you deal with issues as they arise in the long term.
During each CBT session, you and your therapist will try to identify negative thoughts about yourself or a particular situation and their effects. After that, you’ll explore different ways to replace those negative thought patterns or behaviors with more helpful and accurate ones.
Similar to behavioral therapy, CBT spends less time dwelling on the past and focuses more on the present. Oftentimes, this therapy provides other activities to do outside of therapy hours, such as directions to journalize negative thoughts or behaviors that are present in your day.
So far, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been used for treating mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, anxiety, eating disorders and phobias, OCD, and insomnia.
4) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a type of psychotherapy that was developed by therapists Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale, who sought to build upon cognitive therapy. It is known that MBCT involves a combination of cognitive therapy, meditation, and the cultivation of a present-oriented, non-judgmental attitude called “mindfulness”.
With the use of meditation and breathing exercises, MBCT teaches us how to break away from negative thought patterns and to prolong the feeling of depression we are currently experiencing. Instead of trying hard to avoid or eliminate feelings of sadness, this therapy encourages individuals to change their relationship with those negative feelings through awareness and acceptance. This way really allows individuals to learn other ways to respond to sadness, which comes and goes without knowing the time.
According to research, MBCT can help individuals who have experienced multiple episodes of depression. So far, this therapy has also been used to treat individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression associated with medical illnesses, low mood, unhappiness, depression, and treatment-resistant depression.
5) Humanistic Therapy
It is known that humanistic therapy focuses on people’s strengths and can help people achieve their goals and feel more satisfied in life. This therapy focuses less on treating symptoms and problems and includes explaining to the patient that they are the only people who can understand their own experiences and needs, not therapists, parents, partners, friends, or others.
Through humanistic therapy, it will look at how a person’s view of the world affects their life choices, especially those that give them difficulties. Sooner or later, it could be really helpful for individuals who are doing OK in life but want to grow.
When undergoing humanistic therapy, the therapists will help you to achieve life goals that will give you satisfaction. Of course, you will spend time looking for ways to increase your self-acceptance and how you can develop more optimally.
The sessions are less structured than those of other therapists and would be great for those who want to discuss existential issues or big picture issues. Of course, it can really help you understand your worldview and develop true self-acceptance.
Humanistic therapy is great for those of you who need help dealing with self-esteem problems, relationship problems, the effects of trauma, and feelings of worthlessness (worthlessness) in life.
Okay, those are the five most popular types of therapy in psychology that people can choose.
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