The Different Types of Psychotherapists

If you're considering therapy, you may wonder how to choose from the different types of therapists. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, helps people find better ways to cope with emotional issues and overcome unhealthy behaviors or thinking patterns. Therapists can differ based on their education and licensing. Some may also specialize in different types of therapy.

This article discusses the various kinds of psychotherapy as well as different types of therapists. It also looks at how to choose a psychotherapist and what questions to ask before your first meeting.

Different Types of Therapists

There are many different types of therapists, some of whom have a narrow scope of practice—such as sexual trauma, addiction, or eating disorders—and others who operate under the five broad approaches to psychotherapy, known as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a "solutions-oriented" form of therapy in which you identify problematic behaviors and thinking patterns so that you can build strategies to change them. CBT is one of the most common forms of therapy which focuses on present feelings and events, rather than past traumas.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): This approach focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives so that they are better able to make positive changes to their behavior. It is a mindfulness-based approach widely used to treat personality disorders but one that can also be used to treat mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
• Humanistic therapy: This approach focuses on the capacity to make rational choices, emphasizing respect and concern for others as a major theme. Existential therapy is one such example in which free will and the search for meaning in life can direct you to make positive changes.
• Psychodynamic therapy: This approach, also known as psychoanalysis, focuses on how past experiences unconsciously affect current behaviors. It is a practice closely identified with Sigmund Freud, although there are many variations used to treat a wide variety of mental disorders.
• Holistic therapy: This approach, also known as integrative therapy, utilizes different therapies rather than tying a therapist to just one. This enables a more individualized approach to treatment.

Psychotherapy Degrees and Licensure

In addition to the different approaches to psychotherapy, there are also different degrees that may direct the scope of a therapist's practice:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): A master’s degree in social work and a state license are typically required to become an LCSW. These professionals work with all types of clients, although many specialize in one specific area (such as children and homeless people). They also help their clients connect with resources in their community.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): These therapists hold a master’s degree in counseling or psychology and must pass a state licensing exam. LPCs and LMHCs utilize psychotherapy and individual interventions to help clients with mental health issues.
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): These therapists focus on mental health issues affecting family and relationships. LMFTs must obtain a master’s degree and two years of clinical experience. They must also pass a state licensing exam.
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): These practitioners hold a doctoral degree in psychology and are licensed by the state. Though heavily trained in the scientific study of psychology, they generally pursue a patient-based practice.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD in psychology): A PhD in psychology focuses on the scientific research of psychotherapy. Those with this degree tend to go on to research or teaching careers.
• Psychiatrist (MD): Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness. To become a psychiatrist, a person must attend medical school and complete a residency program.

Psychotherapy Specialties

There are well over a hundred different approaches to psychotherapy, including subspecialties limited to specific populations (such as transgender people) or devoted to treating specific mental conditions (like post-traumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder).

Here are just a few examples:

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
• Adlerian Therapy
• Animal-Assisted Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Attachment-Based Therapy
• Bibliotherapy
• Biofeedback
• Brain Stimulation Therapy
• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
• Compassion-Focused Therapy
• Couples Therapy
• Culturally Sensitive Therapy
• Dance Therapy
• Eclectic Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Existential Therapy
• Experiential Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Feminist Therapy
• Forensic Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Jungian Therapy
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Mentalization-Based Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Music Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming Therapy
• Neurofeedback
• Play Therapy
• Positive Psychology
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy
• Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
• Schema Therapy
• Sex therapy
• Social Recovery Therapy
• Somatic Therapy
• Structural Family Therapy
• The Gottman Method
• Written Exposure Therapy
  

How to Choose a Therapist

There are several questions you should ask yourself before starting a search for a therapist to help ensure that you get the appropriate care:

• What credentials do I need? If you’re looking for a therapist who prescribes medications, you will need to go with a psychiatrist. If you’re looking for help with community advocacy, then a licensed clinical social worker or licensed professional counselor may be best for you.
• What is my goal of treatment? If you require therapy based on a specific mental disorder, such as an eating disorder, it would be best to find someone who specializes in that field. The same applies to relationship or sexual issues for whom an LMFT or sex therapist may be appropriate.
  
• What qualities do I want in a therapist? You may also want to consider your therapist's gender, religion, or age. For example, if you’re a young female who has experienced sexual trauma, talking to a female therapist may make you feel more at ease.
• What type of therapy do I need? Certain therapies are better suited for treating some conditions than others. For instance, DBT is often pursued for borderline personality disorder, while prolonged exposure therapy is often used for PTSD. If in doubt, speak with someone who specializes in holistic or integrative therapy.

Questions to Ask

Before committing to a therapist, ask whatever questions you need to establish whether they have the credentials and scope of expertise needed to meet your expectations and goals.

Examples include:

• Are you licensed?
• What is your level of training?
• What treatment approach do you use?
• How many patients have you treated with my specific issue?
• What is your specialty?
• How much does each session cost?
• Can you provide a prescription if needed?

Summary

There are many different types of therapists. Some take a specific approach to treatment, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), while others take a more holistic, integrative approach. The scope of practice is largely directed by the degree obtained by the practitioner and the licensure in the state.

There are numerous specialties and subspecialties in the field of psychotherapy. It is important to identify your goals for therapy and to ask questions in order to choose the best therapist for your needs.