Therapy Glossary of Approaches and Modailities

Our therapy glossary is a complete list of common terms and approaches used in therapy.

Adlerian Therapy

Adlerian Therapy, also known as Individual Psychology, is a therapeutic approach developed by Alfred Adler in the early 20th century. It emphasizes the uniqueness of

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Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This

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Attachment-Based Therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach grounded in attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of early relationships in the development of an individual’s emotional and

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Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral Therapy is a broad term encompassing a range of techniques and therapies rooted in the principles of behavioral psychology. It primarily focuses on modifying

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Bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses literature to support mental health and well-being. Rooted in the ancient Greek belief in the healing power of

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Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback Therapy is a non-invasive treatment technique that teaches individuals to control physiological functions typically considered automatic, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and blood

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Body-Mind Centering® (BMC)

Body-Mind Centering® (BMC) is an integrative approach to movement, bodywork, and consciousness that explores the dynamic relationship between the body and mind to promote health,

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Body-Mind Psychotherapy

Body-Mind Psychotherapy (BMP) is a holistic therapeutic approach that integrates the body’s wisdom with psychological understanding to foster personal growth and healing. This modality, developed

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Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a powerful psychotherapeutic approach discovered and developed by Dr. David Grand in the early 2000s. It is based on the premise that the

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Breathwork

Breathwork refers to different breathing techniques and practices aimed at improving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Rooted in ancient traditions and modern psychological research, breathwork

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Brief Psychotherapy

Brief Psychotherapy is a time-limited, focused therapeutic approach designed to address specific issues and goals within a relatively short period. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which may

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Choice Theory

Choice Theory, developed by psychiatrist William Glasser in the 1960s, is a psychological model that suggests that all human behavior is chosen and that individuals

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Client-Centered Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy, also known as Person-Centered Therapy, is a humanistic approach developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s. It emphasizes the importance of an individual’s

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviors, and cognitive processes through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure.

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Collaborative Therapy

Collaborative Therapy, emerging in the late 20th century and influenced by the work of Harlene Anderson and Harold Goolishian, represents a postmodern approach to psychotherapy

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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychological approach designed to foster self-compassion, alleviate self-criticism, and promote mental and emotional healing. Developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert in

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Constructivist Therapy

Constructivist Therapy, rooted in constructivist psychology, emphasizes the unique ways in which individuals construct meaning and understand their experiences in the world. This therapeutic approach

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Depth Therapy

Depth Therapy refers to a range of psychotherapeutic approaches that explore the unconscious mind’s role in shaping thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. Rooted in the theories

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Drama Therapy

Drama Therapy integrates the healing power of drama and theater processes into a therapeutic framework, offering individuals a dynamic and creative way to express their

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Dream Therapy

Dream Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that utilizes dreams as a window into the unconscious mind, offering insights into personal psychological states, unresolved issues, and

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Eclectic Therapy

Eclectic Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that draws on techniques and concepts from various psychological theories and practices to create a personalized treatment plan tailored

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Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy, also referred to as nature therapy or green therapy, is a multifaceted approach to mental and physical well-being that recognizes the intrinsic connection between

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Emotional Freedom Technique

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often referred to as “tapping,” is a psychological acupressure technique that combines elements of cognitive and exposure therapy with acupressure in

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Energy Psychology (EP)

Energy Psychology (EP) represents a family of integrative approaches that combine principles from traditional healing practices, such as acupuncture and yoga, with contemporary psychological theories

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Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is grounded in the principle that each individual possesses unique inner resources and strengths that can be accessed and activated through the state

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Existential Therapy

Existential Therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that explores the fundamental questions of human existence. Its roots are in existential philosophy, with significant contributions

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Experiential Therapy

Experiential Therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes active, engaging methods to help individuals process and overcome emotional and psychological issues. Rooted in the principle

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Exposure Therapy

Exposure Therapy is a psychological treatment that helps individuals confront their fears and reduce anxiety through controlled, gradual, and repeated exposure to the feared object,

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Expressive Art Therapy

Expressive Art Therapy combines psychology and the creative process to promote emotional growth and healing. This multi-arts approach integrates visual arts, music, dance, theater, and

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Expressive Trauma Integration

Expressive Trauma Integration (ETI) is an innovative therapeutic approach that combines expressive arts therapies with trauma-informed care principles to support individuals in processing and integrating

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Family Systems

Family Systems theory is a branch of psychology that views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions

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Feminist Therapy

Feminist Therapy is a therapeutic approach that centers on understanding and addressing the psychological impact of gender, social inequality, and power dynamics on individual well-being.

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Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility, and focuses on the individual’s experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the

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Gottman Method

The Gottman Method is a form of couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, based on over four decades of research. It is

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Grief Therapy

Grief Therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy aimed at helping individuals navigate the complex emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to loss. Grief can result

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Hakomi Method

The Hakomi Method, developed by Ron Kurtz in the late 1970s, is an innovative approach to psychotherapy that combines Western psychology with Eastern philosophical principles,

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Heart Centered Therapy (HCT)

Heart Centered Therapy (HCT) is a gentle, yet profound approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes emotional healing through the heart’s wisdom and compassion. Developed by Drs.

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Holistic Therapy

Holistic Therapy is an integrative approach to health and healing that considers the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and emotions—in the quest for optimal health and

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Human Givens Therapy

Human Givens Therapy is an innovative approach to psychological healing that integrates findings from psychology and neurobiology with ancient wisdom about human needs and resources.

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Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Therapy, rooted in the humanistic psychology movement of the mid-20th century, emphasizes the inherent value and potential of individuals. It focuses on self-exploration, self-acceptance,

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Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes hypnosis—a trance-like state of focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and deep relaxation—to explore and address psychological distress, unhealthy

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Integral Psychotherapy (IP)

Integral Psychotherapy (IP) is an approach that combines insights and practices from a wide range of psychotherapeutic modalities, aiming to address the multifaceted nature of

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Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a time-limited, focused, evidence-based approach to treat mood disorders, particularly depression. Developed in the 1970s by Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman,

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Jungian Therapy

Jungian Therapy, also known as analytical psychology, is a form of psychotherapy developed by Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who was a

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Lifespan Integration

Lifespan Integration (LI) is a therapeutic approach developed by Peggy Pace in 2003, combining insights from psychology and neuroscience to help individuals heal from past

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Logotherapy

Logotherapy, developed by psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor E. Frankl, is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the human search for meaning as the central

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental practice that involves maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with an attitude of openness,

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Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a client-centered counseling approach designed to evoke intrinsic motivation to change behaviors that are harmful or counterproductive to one’s well-being.

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Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. It is designed to strengthen an individual’s

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Multicultural Therapy

Multicultural Therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that acknowledges, respects, and integrates clients’ cultural values, beliefs, and behaviors into the therapeutic process. This approach recognizes

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Music Therapy

Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of

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Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that centers on the stories people construct about their lives. Developed in the 1980s by Michael White and

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Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback, is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity—most commonly electroencephalography (EEG)—to teach self-regulation of brain

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Object Relations Therapy

Object Relations Therapy is a branch of psychodynamic psychotherapy that focuses on the role of early family relationships in the development of an individual’s personality

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Play Therapy

Play Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach primarily used to help children aged 3 to 12 explore their lives and freely express repressed thoughts and emotions

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Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory, introduced by Stephen Porges in 1994, revolutionizes our understanding of the autonomic nervous system by highlighting its role in emotional regulation, social behavior,

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Positive Psychotherapy (PPT)

Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) is an approach within the broader field of positive psychology, focused on enhancing well-being by fostering positive emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Developed

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Pragmatic Experiential Therapy

Pragmatic Experiential Therapy (PET) is a therapeutic approach designed to improve emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills within the context of intimate relationships. Developed by Brent

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Process Oriented Psychology

Process-Oriented Psychology, also known as Process Work, is an integrative approach to psychotherapy, personal development, and group work developed by Arnold Mindell in the late

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Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach and theory of personality development founded by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emphasizes the

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Psychodrama

Psychodrama is an experiential form of psychotherapy that uses guided drama and role-playing to help individuals explore their lives, problems, and relationships. Developed by Jacob

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, often referred to as “talk therapy,” encompasses a variety of treatment techniques designed to help individuals understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It provides

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Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy is a counseling method developed by Dr. William Glasser in the 1960s. It is rooted in Choice Theory and focuses on personal responsibility

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Regression Therapy

Regression Therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves guiding individuals back in time to re-experience earlier stages of their life or past lives. The premise

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Relational Therapy

Relational Therapy, also known as Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of relationships and interpersonal connections in an individual’s mental

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Rogerian Therapy

Rogerian Therapy, also known as Person-Centered Therapy, was developed by Carl R. Rogers in the 1940s and 1950s. It represents a shift from traditional psychoanalytic

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Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy, developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young in the 1980s, is an integrative psychotherapeutic approach that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, attachment theory, psychodynamic concepts,

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Sensory Integration Therapy

Sensory Integration Therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals, particularly children with sensory processing issues, improve their ability to process and respond

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Solutions-Focused Therapy

Solutions-Focused Therapy, or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach that emphasizes identifying and building on clients’ resources and strengths, rather than focusing

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Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic approach designed to relieve and resolve the symptoms of trauma and chronic stress. Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine,

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Strength-Based Therapy

Strength-Based Therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on individuals’ inner strengths and resourcefulness rather than their weaknesses or deficits. This positive psychology-based therapy encourages

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Structural Therapy

Structural Therapy, or Structural Family Therapy, is a therapeutic approach focused on understanding and improving family dynamics. Developed by Salvador Minuchin in the 1960s, this

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Supportive Psychotherapy

Supportive Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach designed to bolster an individual’s coping mechanisms and resilience through empathy, encouragement, and practical advice. Unlike other forms of

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The Daring Way

The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential methodology for developing shame resilience and learning the art of living bravely. Based on the research of Dr.

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Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy encompasses a range of therapeutic approaches designed to help individuals confront, process, and recover from the effects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can arise

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Voice Dialogue

Voice Dialogue is an innovative psychotherapeutic approach that facilitates deeper self-awareness and transformation by engaging directly with the various subpersonalities or “selves” within an individual.

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Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy is a personalized approach that applies yoga’s ancient principles and practices to promote health and well-being across all dimensions of the individual: physical,

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