What are the different types of psychotherapy available in psychiatry?

Psychotherapy is a treatment for people with psychological or psychiatric disorders aimed at making a patient or group of patients understand why they suffer from a disorder and to help relieve their feelings of discomfort, anxiety and stress to make them feel more at harmony with themselves.

What is psychotherapy?

Unlike medical or surgical treatments, psychotherapy focuses on how the disorder affects the patient’s daily life, such as what they are afraid of, what depresses them or what voices the patient hears. In some cases, such as psychosis, medications are used to help facilitate the healing process.

What are the different types of psychotherapy?

There are various types of psychotherapy, mainly talking therapies, and the treating psychiatrist will always choose the most appropriate, depending on the condition of the patient, to help correct their emotions, attitudes and behaviour and thus satisfy their need for recognition and affection.

Therapy with psychoanalysis

Although each psychiatrist has their own methods according to the psychological school they believe in, the premise of psychoanalysis is that traumatic experiences in the past are the cause of the patient's internal conflicts. Therefore, if the source of this trauma is unearthed, it can be solved. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

One of the most popular and effective types of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy, which considers that the patient's difficulties are not due to external factors, but to the perception they have of their situation and their immediate social environment.

That is why CBT aims to help the patient identify the causes and consequences of their behaviour and change their perception to improve their mood and increase their social competence and self-confidence.

What other types of psychotherapy are available?

Group or family therapy

This type of psychotherapy is focussed on problems that originate from the patient's relationship with their family or group of friends or colleagues, and therefore therapy is undertaken in family or group sessions.

Once the origin has been found and conflicts identified, attempts are made to strengthen the bonds of the therapeutic group or the family as a system.

Existential Therapy

This type of psychotherapy aims to help the patient by opening up prospects for the future, that is, by making them see new possibilities for personal satisfaction and growth.

If you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychological symptoms, you should consult your GP, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist who can help with psychotherapy that's tailored to you.