Do different types of Therapy matter?

If you've looked for a therapist online, you've probably seen terms like CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic and integrative. But what do they mean?

Essentially, these terms refer to the therapist's approach or school of thought - the way they understand people and how psychological change happens.

It's easy to wonder whether you're expected to understand the difference before booking your first appointment.

The good news is... you don't.

Why are there so many different approaches?

Therapy has evolved over many decades.

As different psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists developed and tested new ideas about how people change, different approaches emerged. Each has its own way of understanding people and supporting change.

No single approach is the right fit for every person or every difficulty.

A few of the better-known approaches

You don't need to remember these, but it can help to know what they generally focus on.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

CBT looks at the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

It is often structured and practical, with exercises to complete between sessions.

Person-centred therapy

Person-centred therapy places the therapeutic relationship at the heart of the work. Considerable importance is given to the quality of the relationship between therapist and client.

The therapist creates an accepting, non-judgemental space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns may influence your present relationships, thoughts and behaviours. It's often the approach you might see represented on television.

Concerned with meaning, it often looks beyond the immediate problem to understand where patterns began.

Integrative therapy

Rather than following a single school of thought, integrative therapists develop a coherent approach that draws on ideas from more than one tradition.

Rather than simply picking techniques from different models, they bring together theories they believe complement one another, creating a consistent way of understanding and working with clients.

Should I choose a therapist based on their approach?

Sometimes.

Certain approaches have stronger evidence for particular difficulties. For example, CBT is commonly recommended for anxiety and depression, while therapies such as EMDR are widely used in the treatment of trauma.

For many people, however, the approach a therapist uses is only one part of the picture.

The approach tells you how a therapist tends to think about people. It doesn't tell you what it will feel like to work with them.

Which one is best?

Research suggests that one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship.

Do you feel listened to?

Do you feel understood?

Can you be honest with them?

Do you trust them enough to explore difficult things together?

Those questions are just as important as the name of the approach your therapist uses, and a good therapist should be able to explain how they work in plain English and why they think it may be helpful for you.

So... does the approach matter?

Yes.

Understanding the different approaches can help you ask informed questions and get a sense of how a therapist works. But don't feel that you need to become an expert before making contact.

The best therapist for you isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive-sounding approach. It's the one you feel able to build a trusting working relationship with.

Next in the series:What Happens in the First Session?