Starting Therapy
Types of therapy
There are a variety of treatment modalities that can be used in therapy. Many therapists incorporate elements from multiple different approaches, tailoring their treatment according to the specific needs of the individual.
Three of the most common approaches are:
CBT is the most commonly used form of therapy today. It can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia.
DBT is a type of CBT that can also be used to treat depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance abuse. There are four main focus areas in DBT.
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional regulation
- Interpersonal effectiveness
DBT may include group therapy. When considering DBT, look for a mental health professional who has specialized training in this modality.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is sometimes used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, psychosis and addiction. The goal of this treatment is acceptance of life’s difficulties. The six core principles are:
- Cognitive defusion
- Acceptance
- Contact with the present moment
- The observing self
- Values
- Committed action