The types and modes of mental health care vary as much as the individuals who seek therapeutic care and support. While some models are more popular than others, there’s no cookie-cutter approach to therapy. The differences in the types and modes of therapy will work for different people in different ways. Here are some of the various modes of therapy.
Modes of Therapy
Individual Therapy
This refers to one to one therapy with a psychotherapist or counselor who is trained on the techniques used to help understand, explore and find solutions to problems and challenges causing emotional distress. This mode of therapy assumes that the individual can forge a way that’s right for them. The supportive, healing and compassionate environment of therapy creates an ideal setting for the individual to discover and connect with their inner self. The idea is for the individual to build strength and gain better control over their own life.
Family Therapy
This mode of therapy works with families to facilitate change or address difficulties within the family context or environment. The therapist focuses on the individual family members to help the family deal with challenges they encounter and improve the quality of life of the family as a group.
Family therapy focuses on the nature of interaction within the family, rather than attributing blame to anyone. This mode of therapy helps families deal with issues such as separation, loss, parental issues, children or adolescent difficulties or alcoholism. Therapy sessions may include group as well as individual dialogue.
Couple Therapy
Couples therapy is meant for couples who are keen on exploring issues concerning them both. Common issues couples grapple with every day include stress, communication, sexual issues, addressing differences or life events. This mode of therapy aims to provide a neutral ground where each party can explore their concerns in ways that facilitate openness and listening to the others feelings and thoughts.
Couples often struggle to articulate themselves or feel misunderstood, and that’s where the therapist comes in. Therapists are trained to help couples how they relate to one another and facilitate changes that positively impact their relationship.
It’s not uncommon for therapists to combine an approach of couples together as well as one to one so that both parties can express their needs and explore issues within their relationship.
Group Therapy
This mode of psychotherapy involves a group of one or more psychotherapists working with several people in a group at the same time. It’s often used in community settings, mental health centers and hospitals, primarily focusing on issues such as drug and alcohol abuse but it’s also often also provided privately to facilitate bereavement, for example. This mode of therapy aims to leverage the community setting to provide emotional support to a group.
The modes of therapy are not set in stone. For instance, couple therapy can be likened to group therapy in that more than one person is present during the therapeutic session. Similarly, individual therapy is the most common type of therapy, but there are various types and modes.