Dr Manju Antil (Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist)

There are several types of psychotherapy. The selection of the therapy type depends on the person’s illness, circumstances, and his/her preference. Therapists may conduct a combination of elements from different approaches (eclectic approach) to meet the needs of the person receiving treatment.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change thinking and behaviour patterns that are faulty, harmful, or ineffective, replacing them with more accurate thoughts and functional behaviours. It can help a person focus on current problems and how to solve them.

Behaviour Therapy (BT) and Behaviour Modification are forms of psychotherapy in which the clinician focuses more on the behavioural changes and initiates the changes in undesired behaviour. This therapy is helpful in eliminating unwanted behaviour and increasing the desired behaviour through the help of reinforcement schedules.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a short-term form of treatment. It helps a person understand troublesome interpersonal issues, like unresolved grief, changes in social or work roles, conflicts with significant others, and problems relating to others.

Psychodynamic therapy is a form of therapy influenced by psychoanalysis. In this, a person works with the therapist to improve self-awareness and change old patterns, so he/she can more fully take charge of his/her life.

Supportive therapy uses guidance and encouragement to help persons develop their own resources. It helps build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social and community functioning.

Psycho-education provides education and information to those seeking or receiving mental health services, such as those diagnosed with mental health conditions (or life-threatening/terminal illnesses) and their family members. This is an essential component of all psychotherapy interventions.

Family Therapy is a form of intervention. Family therapy or family counselling is a treatment designed to address specific issues affecting the health and functioning of a family. It can help a family through a difficult period, a significant transition, or mental or behavioural health problems in family members.

Group Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more mental health practitioners who deliver psychotherapy to several individuals in each session. Group therapy can reduce wait times and give more people access to mental healthcare. Some people attend individual therapy sessions in addition to group therapy, while others only use group therapy.

Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents: Different Types

·         Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps a child understand and accept their inner emotions. ACT therapists help children and teens use their deeper understanding of their emotional struggles to commit to moving forward positively.  

·         Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be used to treat older adolescents who have chronic suicidal feelings/thoughts, engage in intentionally self-harmful behaviours, or have Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT emphasizes taking responsibility for one's problems and helps the person examine how they deal with conflict and intense negative emotions. This often involves a combination of group and individual sessions.

·         Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) involves working with children and teens who struggle with who they are. MBT is focused on helping children grow into healthy individuals.  

· Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) helps parents and children who struggle with behaviour problems or connection through real-time coaching sessions. Parents interact with their children while therapists guide families toward positive interactions.

·         Play Therapy involves using toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings, and games to help the child recognize, identify, and verbalize feelings. The psychotherapist observes how the child uses play materials and identifies themes or patterns to understand the child's problems. Through a combination of talk and play the child has an opportunity to better understand and manage their conflicts, feelings, and behaviour.

·         Supportive Therapy gives children and teens support in their lives to cope with stress, identify helpful and unhelpful behaviours, and improve self-esteem.

·         Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is a play-based intervention. It utilizes the playroom as a safe space to help children process their feelings through symbols and play. The counselling relationship can support healing and positive change, decrease negative behaviours, and improve overall functioning. CCPT therapy allows children to explore issues using toys and the play environment, enabling them to lead their own healing.

Applied behavioural analysis is a well-known early form of therapy for autistic children. It focuses on rewarding desirable behaviours to increase their frequency and minimize less acceptable behaviours. It teaches behaviours in real-life settings and addresses learning, self-management, and communication.