What are all the different types of counselling and what do they mean?
Therapists use all sorts of complicated words to describe their particular style of therapy, which can be confusing. Many therapists are trained in several different styles (or modalities) and will decide what approach to take when they meet you. They might also use words like’ blended’ or ‘integrative’ when they describe how they work. Integrative trained counsellors will have a strong understanding of the core types of counselling and may specialise in one or two specific styles, many of which have been developed over the years by a variety of psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors.
Here are some common terms you might come across when describing different types of therapy, and what they mean:
Arts or creative therapy
If your counsellor thinks you might benefit from the use of creative processes such as painting, drawing, drama and music, this is a way to help explore and communicate difficult or confusing feelings. It sometimes allows the client to bring feelings out in the open without having to articulate them.
Behavioural
This type of counselling looks at the way you act and how it is influenced by the environment you are in.
Cognitive
Cognitive counselling will explore your thoughts and the way you think, it will look at the workings inside your brain, including thinking, memory, perception, problem-solving, and learning. The most common cognitive counselling therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Dialectical
Here the therapist explores opposite positions and looks at how they might exist together – with the emphasis on the philosophy that all things are connected, and change is constant and inevitable.
Humanistic
Focuses on the individual as a whole, including mind, body, spirit and soul. It stresses concepts such as free will and self-actualisation. Rather than focusing on the challenges, this form of therapy strives to help people fulfil their potential and maximise their well-being.
Mindfulness-based
This therapy is the awareness of one’s internal states (thoughts and feelings) and surroundings and accepting them. Often involves techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Person-centred
A type of talk therapy that is also known as client-centred therapy. In this therapy, the client does most of the talking and in so is empowered to take ownership of their well-being. Person-centred therapy provides a safe space for someone to gain insight about themselves to encourage personal growth and improve relationships.
Psychoanalytic (or analytic)
Based on Sigmund Freud’s work, psychoanalytic therapy aims to bring unconscious or deep-buried thoughts and feelings to the conscious mind. These thoughts often stem from childhood.
Psychodynamic (or dynamic)
Derived from psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how your current feelings and behaviour are shaped by your past experiences, unconscious mind and impulses.
Solution-focused
A (usually) short-term therapy that focuses on what you want to achieve in the future rather than exploring past experiences.
Want to find out more?
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website has an extensive A–Z of therapeutic approaches. This list covers many types of therapy by name and explains the different beliefs and approaches behind each one.
