20 Types of Psychotherapy: Choosing Right Therapy for Mental Disorders
Selecting the right type of psychotherapy significantly influences the success of mental health treatment. Since every individual’s psychological condition differs, understanding various types of psychotherapy is crucial for matching personal emotional needs with appropriate therapeutic techniques. Types of psychotherapy refer to diverse therapeutic methods, each designed to address specific psychological conditions, emotional needs, behavioural patterns, and mental health goals. These methods involve varied therapeutic techniques conducted by trained and experienced therapists within structured treatment settings.
Types of psychotherapy vary in technique and focus, including evidence-based treatments like CBT and DBT, relational models such as interpersonal and couples therapy, trauma-focused methods like EMDR and somatic therapy, and depth therapies including psychodynamic, existential, and Lacanian models.
Psychotherapy significantly improved mental health and daily functioning in individuals. CBT was found to be the most effective for enhancing daily life. At the same time, other therapies were similarly effective for mental health improvement as shown by a meta-analysis of 31 RCTs on adults with IBS published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology Review in 2016.
Psychotherapy services options in Ontario and British Columbia include support for depression, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, trauma, couples, and family challenges.
Psychotherapy effectively treats a range of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, OCD, and ADHD.
This guide provides an overview of major types of psychotherapy, explores its role in treating various mental disorders, and highlights condition-specific therapy services in Ontario and British Columbia.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach involving structured conversations between a therapist and client, aimed at resolving emotional issues, managing mental disorders, modifying behaviour patterns, enhancing psychological health, and improving quality of life through various evidence-based treatment methods.
Psychotherapy supports individuals in overcoming mental health challenges and managing emotional distress. Emotional distress is reduced through guided therapeutic conversations addressing specific psychological issues. Psychological issues diminish as psychotherapy provides clients with effective coping strategies. Coping strategies enable individuals to improve daily functioning and personal relationships. Improved personal relationships and functioning increase mental well-being and life satisfaction.
Evidence-based psychotherapies have proven to be both practical and cost-efficient in treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Given the global burden of mental illness and its link with medical conditions, their use is increasingly emphasized in clinical settings. Proper implementation maximizes therapeutic outcomes as highlighted in a study titled “Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: Advantages and Challenges,” published in the Journal of Neurotherapeutics in 2017.
What Are the Types of Psychotherapy?
The types of psychotherapy include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Psychodynamic Group Therapy, Online Couples therapy, eye movement desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and many others.
Let’s discuss the details of each type of psychotherapy:
Start sessions instantly— no logins or passwords required. Stress-free and easy to use.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns to improve emotional regulation and behaviour. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy involves different techniques such as cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioural activation to address mental health concerns. CBT helps clients reframe their cognitive distortions and adopt healthier coping strategies to manage issues like anxiety and depression by focusing on the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on uncovering unconscious thoughts and feelings to improve self-awareness and emotional healing. It involves various techniques, such as free association, dream analysis, and exploring past experiences to understand present behaviours. By delving into the client’s unconscious mind and past relationships, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy helps individuals gain insight into unresolved conflicts and improve mental well-being.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a psychological therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) incorporates mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT enables individuals to develop coping strategies to manage emotional dysregulation and improve mental health by focusing on balancing acceptance and change.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured, evidence-based talking therapy designed to improve mental health by addressing interpersonal issues contributing to psychological distress. IPT involves time-limited, attachment-focused psychotherapies that enhance emotional regulation and social functioning. IPT targets relationship patterns, role transitions, unresolved grief, and social conflicts to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy is an insight-oriented talking therapy that explores unconscious emotions through group interactions to support emotional healing. It is a group-based psychotherapy centred on understanding relationship patterns and deep emotional conflicts. Group-based psychotherapy encourages participants to openly express feelings, gain mutual support, and develop healthier interpersonal connections.
Online Couples Therapy
Online Couples Therapy is a psychotherapy technique that facilitates relationship counselling through digital platforms to enhance emotional intimacy, conflict resolution, and communication skills. Online couple therapy belongs to telehealth-based psychotherapy designed for partners seeking professional guidance in resolving relational distress and strengthening emotional bonds. The intervention framework focuses on evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive-Behavioural Couples Therapy (CBCT) to address attachment dynamics, behavioural patterns, and interpersonal challenges in a virtual setting.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce distress associated with them. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing uses bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements to facilitate the processing of distressing memories. EMDR enables individuals to experience reduced emotional discomfort and adopt healthier perspectives on past trauma.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of talking therapy that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility by accepting their thoughts and emotions while committing to actions aligned with their values. ACT focuses on six core processes, including mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and acceptance, which help clients manage difficult emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) reduces psychological distress and promotes a fulfilling life by encouraging acceptance and committed action.
Lacanian Psychoanalysis
Lacanian Psychoanalysis is a psychotherapy approach based on the theories of Jacques Lacan, focusing on the unconscious mind, language, and the development of the self. Lacanian Psychoanalysis explores the unconscious through language, the symbolic order, and the concept of the “mirror stage” in human development. Lacanian Psychoanalysis helps individuals gain insight into their psychological conflicts and address deep-rooted issues within the psyche by examining how unconscious desires and early experiences shape one’s identity.
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a healing-focused talking therapy that helps individuals process deep emotions and recover from emotional trauma. AEDP is an attachment-based psychotherapy that includes experiential techniques to build emotional resilience and personal growth. Experiential techniques guide individuals to access core emotions, process past traumas, transform painful experiences, and build healthier emotional connections.
Adlerian Therapy
Adlerian therapy is a goal-oriented psychological therapy focusing on developing social interest, self-awareness, and personal growth. As an individual-centred and holistic approach, Adlerian therapy addresses feelings of inferiority, early childhood experiences, and the impact of social relationships on mental well-being. Adlerian approach helps individuals develop resilience, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging by applying lifestyle assessment, encouragement, and cognitive reframing.
Attachment Therapy
Attachment therapy is a relationship-focused talking therapy that helps individuals explore emotional bonds and build healthier connections with loved ones. Attachment therapy belongs to family-centred psychotherapies to address insecure attachment styles, early childhood experiences, and emotional regulation difficulties. Family-centred psychotherapies support clients by strengthening trust, enhancing emotional safety, and nurturing lasting bonds within families.
Insomnia Psychotherapy
Insomnia Therapy (CBT-I) is a psychotherapy technique that gently reshapes thoughts and habits to improve sleep naturally. It is a sleep-focused type of cognitive behavioural therapy that focuses on restructuring negative thought patterns, regulating sleep hygiene, and modifying dysfunctional sleep-related behaviours. Sleep-focused cognitive behavioural methods compassionately guide individuals towards restful sleep by addressing anxiety, bedtime habits, and thoughts that disrupt nightly rest.
Somatic Psychotherapy
Somatic psychotherapy is a psychological therapy that focuses on the connection between the body and mind to relieve emotional distress and trauma. Somatic psychotherapy is a body-centred type of psychotherapy that highlights the connection between physiological responses, subconscious patterns, and psychological well-being. Body-centred techniques gently help clients release stress held within their bodies, creating a deep sense of emotional healing and comfort.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic Therapy is a talking therapy that examines relational dynamics, social structures, and communication patterns to address psychological distress within families, couples, and groups. Systemic psychotherapy belongs to the category of family and relationship-focused therapies, which prioritize interactions, communication patterns, and underlying belief systems. Therapists in systemic therapy guide individuals toward healthier connections by identifying patterns that shape behaviours, encouraging open dialogue, and strengthening emotional bonds within their support network.
Trauma-informed Therapy
Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate psychotherapy type designed to support individuals recovering from traumatic experiences through safety, trust, and emotional healing. Trauma-informed therapy is a supportive counselling method emphasizing emotional safety, personal empowerment, and understanding the impacts of past trauma. Individuals in trauma-informed therapy develop resilience by gently exploring emotional wounds with therapists who recognize the lasting effects of painful experiences.
Existential Integrative Psychotherapy
Existential integrative psychotherapy is a psychological therapy that helps individuals face life’s uncertainties by exploring personal meaning and embracing authentic existence. It belongs to the humanistic-existential type of counselling methods focusing on emotional awareness, individual freedom, and self-understanding. Individuals undergoing existential integrative psychotherapy experience emotional healing through openly examining their anxieties and relationships, empowering them to live genuinely and purposefully.
Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy
Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy is a talking therapy that focuses on understanding the lived experience of individuals, addressing existential concerns such as meaning, freedom, and responsibility. Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy combines existential philosophy with phenomenological methods to explore personal experience and the search for meaning. Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy helps individuals explore core values, confront existential realities, and make authentic life choices.
Forensic Psychotherapy
Forensic psychotherapy is a psychotherapy technique that focuses on treating individuals with mental health issues who are involved in the criminal justice system. Forensic psychotherapy consists in assessing the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behaviour and addressing them through therapeutic interventions. Compassionate forensic Psychotherapy helps individuals address underlying mental health issues, reduce the risk of reoffending, and promote rehabilitation by exploring the relationship between psychological disorders and criminal conduct.
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a psychological therapy that focuses on understanding and changing the behaviours that hinder personal growth through the therapeutic relationship. FAP uses in-session interactions to target maladaptive behaviours and create opportunities for behavioural change. By focusing on real-time behavioural responses within the therapy session, FAP helps individuals build healthier behaviours and emotional responses in their everyday lives.
What are the Best Psychotherapy Services in Ontario & British Columbia?
The best psychotherapy services offered in Ontario and British Columbia include Depression Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Couples Therapy, ADHD Therapy, and Trauma Therapy. Well Beings Counselling, a well-known therapy clinic, offers in-person and online therapy services in Ontario and British Columbia.
Following is the detail of professional psychotherapy services offered by Well Beings Counselling in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada:
- Depression Therapy Services
Depression Therapy Services provide structured psychological support to help individuals manage persistent sadness, negative thought patterns, and emotional distress through evidence-based interventions. Compassionate depression psychotherapy support is accessible to individuals through convenient online sessions and welcoming in-person visits across Ontario and British Columbia. Individuals who attend therapy sessions receive guidance to overcome sadness, build emotional strength, and reconnect positively with daily life.
- Anxiety Therapy Services
Anxiety Therapy Services at Well Beings Counselling provide compassionate psychotherapy treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure Therapy, to help individuals reduce anxiety and regain emotional well-being in Ontario and British Columbia. Emotional confidence gained during anxiety therapy helps individuals manage daily stress effectively, restore peace of mind, and enjoy everyday activities again.
- Couples Therapy Services
Couples Therapy Services provides structured relationship counselling to help partners improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen emotional bonds in Ontario & British Columbia. Couple therapy services use evidence-based modalities such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive-Behavioural Couples Therapy (CBCT), and attachment-based interventions to enhance relationship dynamics and mutual understanding. Couple therapy sessions focus on identifying relational patterns, building emotional intimacy, and developing effective conflict-resolution strategies to promote long-term relationships.
- ADHD Therapy Services
ADHD Therapy Services provides structured psychological support to help individuals manage attention difficulties, impulsivity, and executive function challenges through evidence-based strategies. ADHD therapy incorporates cognitive-behavioural therapy, behavioural modification strategies, and mindfulness techniques to enhance focus, emotional regulation, and adaptive coping skills. In ADHD therapy, clients develop time management techniques, improve self-awareness, and strengthen problem-solving abilities to promote long-term personal and professional success.
- Trauma Therapy Services
Trauma Therapy Services provides compassionate psychotherapy treatments, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), to help individuals in Ontario and British Columbia overcome trauma and regain emotional balance. Our experienced therapists create supportive therapeutic relationships built on trust and empathy, guiding individuals toward emotional recovery and personal strength. Trauma therapy helps patients develop practical coping skills and deeper emotional resilience through gentle, structured counselling sessions to renew hope and confidence.
- Family Therapy Services
Family Therapy Services provide structured psychological support to help families improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relational bonds. Family therapy services incorporate systemic therapy, attachment-based interventions, and cognitive-behavioural techniques to address interpersonal dynamics, parenting challenges, and emotional distress within family relationships. Family therapy sessions focus on enhancing problem-solving skills, developing mutual understanding, and promoting healthy family interactions to create a supportive and resilient home environment.
- Insomnia Therapy Services
Insomnia therapy services help individuals overcome persistent sleep difficulties, regulate sleep patterns, and improve well-being. At Well Beings Counselling, our registered psychotherapists use evidence-based techniques to identify underlying causes of sleep disturbances, address anxiety-driven sleep disruptions, and promote healthy bedtime routines. Insomnia therapy sessions provide a structured approach where individuals learn relaxation strategies, reframe negative sleep-related thoughts, and restore natural sleep cycles for long-term restfulness.
Get matched with a counsellor that fits your needs.
What are the Stages of Psychotherapy?
The stages of psychotherapy include contemplation, assessment, goal setting, active intervention, and maintenance. Each stage helps the therapist and client work together effectively based on the individual’s mental health condition. Stages of Psychotherapy serve as a structured framework, ensuring consistency across different types of psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The structured progression of psychotherapy stages supports accurate diagnosis, measurable progress, and better alignment of therapy methods with conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders. Predictable transitions between stages help clients feel secure and involved in their treatment journey, which is essential when selecting the right therapy for specific mental health needs.
The following are the different stages of Psychotherapy:
- Contemplation
Contemplation is the initial psychotherapy stage where an individual recognizes personal challenges and considers seeking professional support. Recognition of personal challenges encourages individuals to evaluate their emotional struggles and prepares them for change.
- Assessment
Assessment involves the therapist gathering detailed information about the individual’s emotional history, mental health condition, and current concerns. Information collected during assessment helps therapists understand symptoms clearly and guides treatment planning.
- Identifying Goals
dentifying goals is the psychotherapy stage where individuals collaborate with therapists to set clear, realistic, and meaningful outcomes for therapy. Clear outcomes established through identifying goals provide motivation and structure for successful emotional recovery.
- Action
Action is the psychotherapy stage in which individuals actively engage in therapeutic strategies to change negative behaviours, thoughts, and emotional patterns. Therapeutic strategies practised consistently during this stage create noticeable improvements in emotional well-being.
- Maintenance
Maintenance occurs when individuals practise learned coping methods independently to sustain emotional improvements gained in therapy. Sustained emotional improvements during maintenance enable individuals to manage future difficulties effectively and reduce relapse risk.
- Relationship Building
Relationship building is an ongoing psychotherapy stage that emphasizes trust, openness, and mutual respect between therapists and individuals. Trust and openness established through relationship building provide individuals with a supportive environment necessary for emotional healing.
What Mental Disorders are Treated by Psychotherapy?
Mental disorders treated by Psychotherapy include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental conditions negatively influence emotional stability, cognitive abilities, social interactions, and quality of life. Mental disorders require specialized therapeutic approaches like psychotherapy to improve patients’ overall well-being and daily functioning. Psychotherapy commonly addresses mental disorders by employing strategies focused on symptom management, enhancing coping skills, and building emotional resilience. Emotional resilience supports sustained recovery from psychological distress through focused therapeutic interventions.
The following are the details of mental disorders treated by Psychotherapy:
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders cause persistent fear, excessive worry, and physical tension that disrupts daily activities and emotional well-being. Psychotherapy provides structured treatment using cognitive-behavioural techniques, exposure therapy, and relaxation strategies to reduce anxious thoughts and improve emotional regulation. Psychotherapy sessions focus on identifying triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and building resilience to restore a sense of control and mental stability.
Depression
Depression is a persistent mental health disorder that causes overwhelming sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, and emotional distress. People experiencing depression struggle with fatigue, disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness. Psychotherapy provides structured treatment using cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness techniques to reframe negative thoughts and improve emotional resilience. At Well Beings, our Registered Clinical Counsellors and Psychotherapists guide individuals to recognize harmful thought patterns and build supportive relationships, leading to reduced depressive symptoms and better emotional stability.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings, shifting between emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and debilitating lows (depression). Psychotherapy supports bipolar disorder treatment through cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychoeducation to help individuals manage mood fluctuations, identify early symptoms, and develop effective coping strategies. Individuals use skills learned in psychotherapy sessions to stabilize emotions, improve daily functioning, and maintain healthy relationships.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) causes intrusive memories, emotional numbness, and heightened fear responses following a distressing or life-threatening event. Psychotherapy treats PTSD using trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy, EMDR exposure therapy, and mindfulness methods to reduce traumatic memories, decrease anxiety symptoms, and restore emotional stability. Emotional stability achieved through psychotherapy allows individuals to regain confidence, rebuild social relationships, and resume daily activities effectively.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder involving disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and difficulty distinguishing reality from delusions, severely affecting cognitive function and daily life. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, family therapy, and social skills training are psychotherapy methods used to manage hallucinations, reduce delusions, and improve social interactions for individuals with schizophrenia. Effective social interactions developed during psychotherapy enable individuals to communicate clearly, maintain personal relationships, and handle daily responsibilities independently.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and uncontrollable behaviours (compulsions) causing significant distress. Psychotherapy methods, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, exposure and response prevention, and mindfulness techniques, help individuals with OCD reduce intrusive thoughts, control compulsive actions, and manage anxiety symptoms. Reduced anxiety symptoms enable individuals to perform daily routines comfortably, enhance social interactions, and improve overall quality of life.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent inattention, impulsive behaviours, hyperactivity, and challenges with self-control. Psychotherapy techniques such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, behavioural management, and social skills training help individuals with ADHD improve attention, control impulsive reactions, and strengthen social abilities. Enhanced social skills developed through psychotherapy allow individuals to build healthy relationships, succeed academically, and manage everyday tasks effectively.
Get matched with a therapist who understands your needs.
