There are many different types of therapies that counselors and therapists can specialize in. It can be confusing to understand what type of therapy would work best for you, but I have compiled a simple explanation of a few commonly used therapies to help you better understand. What works for someone else may not work for you as your needs may differ from theirs and the type of therapy you are currently trying or have tried may have not been the right one for you. Here is a small list of common therapies counselors may specialize in.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to focus on the client’s behavior, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This therapy helps to re-arrange the client’s thought process and mentality by talking about the unhealthy thought patterns that have become prominent in the client’s brain. The therapist will help the client focus on more positive outlooks and figure out a different narrative for the client that is helpful. CBT is mostly used for anxiety, depression, and trauma disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT, however, DBT focuses more on acceptance and regulating emotions. Therapists who specialize in DBT will help their clients accept uncomfortable feelings, thoughts, and situations. Rather than trying to forget about or ignore uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, the therapist and client will work together to talk through those thoughts and learn how to accept that they are “just” thoughts and they do not have to listen to those thoughts. It also incorporates learning healthy coping skills and strategies to better their lives and lifestyles. DBT is commonly used for suicidal thoughts, self-harm, mood disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. This type of therapy is mostly used for processing traumatic events. Clients will engage in bilateral stimulation which in this case is specific eye movements. While doing these eye movements, clients recall and process traumatic events they have experienced. The purpose of doing particular eye movements while processing traumatic events is to reduce the vividness of the memory and calm the emotions that arise with it.
Exposure Therapy is another form of CBT where the aim is to treat anxiety, PTSD, phobias, and OCD by exposing the client to whatever it is that triggers them or makes them uncomfortable. The therapist will work with the client to pinpoint the trigger and learn coping skills and strategies to reduce their anxiety and fears. After learning the strategies, the therapist then exposes the client to the trigger in a safe environment.
There are many other therapies that may be beneficial for you such as psychodynamic therapy, mentalization-based therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, play therapy, and art therapy. I would recommend doing research on what types of therapies are out there and finding which one is geared toward what you want to work on. Do not be afraid to reach out to counselors and ask questions about their techniques!
If you are curious about therapy and have questions and would like to talk to a professional counselor, please contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. We would love to answer any questions you may have.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-therapy#creative
Written By: Emme D.
Undergrad Intern 2024
CounselingMatters.live 
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