Types of talking treatment

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

 CBT can help you to change how you think ("cognitive") and what you do ("behaviour)". These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the problems and difficulties in the "here and now" instead of addressing the causes of your distress or symptoms.

CBT looks for ways to improve your state of mind by exploring how you currently think about yourself, the world and other people and how that affects your reaction to situations.

CBT is usually provided by a psychologist but doctors, nurses, counsellors and Social Workers may also be able to do this. You should check that the person you are referred to (or have chosen) has been trained in CBT. Sessions are usually weekly and last an hour. An average number of sessions is 10-15. You can pay to see a psychologist privately for behavioural or cognitive therapy.

CBT is also available via computer programmes which you can use at home (CCBT). Research has shown some CCBT programmes are effective in mild symptoms of depression and anxiety and are therefore recommended by NICE. CCBT is available on the NHS or can be purchased privately by individuals. If you would like more information go to Beating The Blues for depression treatment or Fear Fighter for anxiety treatment.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

This is one of the longest established therapies and is of a deeply analytical nature. it is a form of in-depth therapy which focuses on the unconscious and past experiences and their effect on current behaviour and thinking.The client is encouraged to talk about childhood relationships and experiences during the sessions. The aim of the therapy is to help a person to understand how experiences in the past can unconsciously affect their behaviour and thinking.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT is a type of therapy which focuses on helping a person understand how their difficulties may be connected to their relationships with others It is time limited and focused on relationship difficulties experienced by the clients. The aim of the therapy is to identify any relationship problems and their impact on the client. .The therapist will assist the client to identify ways to cope with these difficulties and to strengthen their interpersonal relationships.

Counselling

Although the term ‘counselling’ is sometimes a term used generally to describe all types of therapy, it also refers to a specific type of therapy. Counselling allows a client to talk to a trained counsellor about a specific problem with the aim of helping the client to understand their problem more clearly and come up with their own solutions to deal with these difficulties.. The role of the counsellor is to listen and be non judgemental towards the client, providing them with a safe and confidential environment to discuss their difficulties.. Counselling tends to be provided on a fairly short-term basis and is available both privately on the the NHS.

Family intervention

Family intervention was originally set up to help families deal with a member suffering from drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, eating disorders or other self-destructive behaviour. Most recently the family intervention programme has been adapted to deal with families caring for someone with schizophrenia. Research shows that family interventions are effective at delaying, if not preventing, relapse for people with schizophrenia.

Creative therapies.

Creative therapies use areas such as art and drama to increase self awareness, develop social skills, reduce anxiety and increase self esteem. Art therapy encourages clients to express emotion and explore their problems using a wide range of art materials. Art therapy can be helpful to people who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.Drama therapy involves the use of drama or theatrical techniques (such as roleplay, mime, story telling) to assist with personal development, insight and self expression.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is form of CBT (see above) which has been adapted to the needs of people with Personality Disorders. DBT works on the basis that people borderline personality disorder have dysfunctional emotional reactions to things for a variety of reasons. Normally, the client attends both individual psychotherapy appointments and group therapy sessions

The information on this page is taken from our Talking Therapies Factsheet