Key Theories & Therapies in Psychology
Psychology is covered with an Extensive range of theories and therapies that help people understand and navigate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. From time-tested traditional methods to modern, evidence-based practices, these approaches offer powerful tools for mental health, healing, and personal growth.
This page organizes these key therapeutic methods into distinct categories, offering a comprehensive overview that guides you to the right approach for your needs. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a student, or someone seeking personal development, exploring these categorized therapies will help you make informed decisions for well-being and transformation.
Contents
- 1 Behaviorism
- 2 Cognitive Therapies
- 3 Psychotherapy
- 4 Humanistic Therapies
- 5 Systemic and Family Therapies
- 6 Integrative & Eclectic Therapies
- 7 Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
- 8 Trauma Focused Therapies
- 9 Biological Based Therapies
- 10 Developmental Therapies
- 11 Alternative and Complementary Therapies
- 12 Interpersonal Therapies
Behaviorism
See theories & therapies in Behaviorism
Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy helps individuals reduce fears through gradual, controlled exposure to triggering situations, aiming to lower anxiety and build resilience.
Systemic Desensitization
Systematic Desensitization helps individuals overcome phobias by gradually exposing them to feared situations while using relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.
Contingency Management
Contingency Management uses rewards and punishments to reinforce and modify behaviors through systematic and consistent incentives.
Token Economies
Token Economies use tokens or rewards to reinforce behaviors, which can be exchanged for privileges or items, focusing on motivation and behavior change.
Cognitive Therapies
See theories & therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) uses techniques to change negative thoughts and behaviors, aiming to improve emotional regulation and problem-solving.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) helps individuals challenge and change irrational beliefs, focusing on altering negative emotions and behaviors.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps individuals reframe distressing thoughts related to trauma, focusing on reducing symptoms and improving well-being.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) blends mindfulness and cognitive techniques to prevent depression relapse and manage negative thoughts.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy addresses ingrained patterns and beliefs that shape behavior, focusing on changing negative schemas to improve emotional well-being.
Psychotherapy
See theories & therapies in Cognitive Therapies
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis explores unconscious thoughts and feelings to resolve deep-seated issues, focusing on insight and emotional release through therapy.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy explores unconscious processes and early life experiences to understand and resolve current emotional issues, focusing on insight and self-awareness.
Humanistic Therapies
See theories & therapies
Person-Centered Therapy
Client-Centered Therapy (Person-Centered Therapy) provides a supportive environment for clients to explore their feelings, focusing on empathy and acceptance.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy helps individuals become aware of their present thoughts, feelings, and actions, emphasizing personal responsibility and the here-and-now.
Existential Therapy
Existential Therapy explores the meaning of life, personal responsibility, and freedom, focusing on helping individuals confront and embrace life’s inherent challenges.
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic Therapy emphasizes personal growth and self-fulfillment, focusing on individuals’ innate potential and the importance of self-acceptance and personal responsibility.
Logo therapy
Logo therapy helps individuals find meaning and purpose in life, focusing on overcoming challenges and existential crises through a search for personal significance.
Systemic and Family Therapies
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Family Systems Therapy
Family Systems Therapy examines family dynamics and relationships to address issues, focusing on enhancing communication, understanding, and overall family.
Structural Family Therapy
Structural Family Therapy focuses on modifying family structures and boundaries to enhance relationships, improve dynamics, and resolve issues effectively.
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic Family Therapy uses targeted interventions to address and resolve family issues, focusing on changing behavior patterns and communication.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy helps individuals reshape their personal stories and perspectives, focusing on changing the way they perceive and interpret.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) emphasizes finding solutions and setting goals, focusing on practical steps and strengths to address current issues.
Integrative & Eclectic Therapies
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Integrative Therapy
Integrative Therapy combines techniques from various therapeutic approaches, tailoring treatment to individual needs for more personalized and effective.
Eclectic Therapy
Eclectic Therapy draws on multiple therapeutic approaches to create a customized treatment plan, focusing on what best suits the individual’s needs and goals.
Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
See theories & therapies
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to value-based actions, focusing on mindfulness.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness to help individuals manage emotions, improve relationships, and build coping.
Trauma Focused Therapies
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps process traumatic memories using guided eye movements to reduce distress and improve well-being.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) helps individuals process and cope with trauma through cognitive-behavioral techniques and support.
Biological Based Therapies
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Pharmacotherapy (Medication Management)
Pharmacotherapy (Medication Management) uses medications to manage and treat mental health conditions, focusing on alleviating symptoms and improving overall functioning.
Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback Therapy uses real-time brain activity monitoring to train and optimize brain function, aiming to improve mental health and cognitive performance.
Developmental Therapies
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Play Therapy
Play Therapy uses play techniques to help children express feelings and resolve issues, focusing on communication and emotional healing through interactive activities.
Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) strengthens the parent-child relationship by addressing emotional and behavioral issues, focusing on improving attachment and communication.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Art Therapy
Art Therapy uses creative processes and artistic expression to help individuals explore emotions, improve self-awareness, and foster healing and personal growth.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy uses music to address emotional, cognitive, and physical needs, focusing on enhancing well-being and personal expression through musical activities.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy involves interactions with trained animals to support emotional and physical healing, focusing on improving well-being and reducing stress.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help individuals explore and address psychological issues, aiming to promote healing and behavioral change.
Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-Body Therapies connect mental and physical health, focusing on well-being through practices like meditation and yoga.
Interpersonal Therapies
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills to alleviate symptoms of depression and other emotional issues.
Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT)
Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) emphasizes relationships and cultural contexts, focusing on fostering connection and addressing issues through relational dynamics.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy enhances emotional bonds and addresses issues from early attachment patterns to support personal growth and healing.