Types of Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) explores the relationship between beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, and the behaviors that follow. CBT teaches people that perceptions about the world, self, and others influence their response to challenging circumstances.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT and a more comprehensive approach. DBT emphasizes problem-solving skills and acceptance-based strategies. The premise of DBT is that opposite concepts such as change and acceptance can exist simultaneously.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of a variety of targeted trauma-informed techniques. CPT usually lasts approximately 12 weeks and aims to help people manage distressing thoughts more effectively through activities such as writing an impact statement, reviewing “stuck points” and the corresponding beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors. Clients who engage in CPT are guided by a therapist to gain a deeper understanding of how traumatic experiences can influence the way they think about themselves, others, and the world.

Narrative Therapy encourages people to rely on their inner strengths and skills to reduce the impact of negative life experiences. Narrative therapy is based on the belief that a person’s experiences become their personal stories, which create meaning and individual identity. Narrative therapy aims to empower the client to narrate his or her own story and discover purpose for their life.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented therapy that emphasizes a person’s present and future circumstances rather than his or her past experiences. Unlike other treatment modalities, SFBT does not focus on the reason for treatment but rather helps clients identify the skills, resources, and innate abilities needed to achieve a positive outcome.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) (formerly Motivational Interviewing) focuses on a person’s motivation to change. The modality targets a person’s negative, self-destructive behavior, and his or her corresponding willingness to change. The target behavior often falls in the realm of a person’s outlooks on health, family life, or social functioning.

Butterfly Tapping is a Trauma-informed strategy using bilateral stimulation. Butterfly Tapping aids in reprocessing traumatic memories and intrusive thoughts by increasing a sense of safety.

Adapted from: goodtherapy.org and the EMDR Capital Research Foundation.