What is Every Model of Therapy and Why Do They All Exist?
A comprehensive dictionary of psychotherapy models, their histories, founders, and techniques.
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Psychotherapy is a vast field with numerous approaches, techniques, and models developed over decades of research and practice. This comprehensive dictionary aims to demystify the various types of psychotherapy, providing insights into their founders, approaches, techniques, focus, historical context, and criticisms. Whether you're a mental health professional, student, or simply curious about the world of psychotherapy, this guide will help you navigate the diverse landscape of therapeutic approaches.
📅 Timeline of Development
- Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud, Eugene Bleuer) - Read Bio
- Analytical Psychology (Carl Jung, 1907)
- Individual Psychology (Alfred Adler, 1911)
- Psychosynthesis (Roberto Assagioli, 1911)
- Behavioral Psychology (John B. Watson, 1913)
- Morita Therapy (Shoma Morita, 1919)
- Psychodrama (Jacob L. Moreno, 1921)
- Sand Tray Therapy (Margaret Lowenfeld, 1929)
- Art Therapy (Adrian Hill, Margaret Naumburg)
- Object Relations Theory (Melanie Klein)
- Person-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers)
- Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls)
- REBT (Albert Ellis, 1955)
- Logotherapy (Viktor Frankl)
- Family Systems (Bowen, Satir, Minuchin)
- Cognitive Therapy (Aaron Beck)
- Reality Therapy (William Glasser)
- Bioenergetic Analysis (Lowen/Reich)
- Somatic Experiencing (Levine)
- NLP (Bandler/Grinder)
- Internal Family Systems (Richard Schwartz)
- EMDR (Francine Shapiro)
- DBT (Marsha Linehan)
- Narrative Therapy (Michael White)
- Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges)
- Interpersonal Neurobiology (Dan Siegel)
- Coherence Therapy (Bruce Ecker)
- Brainspotting (David Grand)
- AEDP (Diana Fosha)
- NARM (Laurence Heller)
- RO-DBT (Thomas Lynch)
🧠 Psychotherapy Modalities
A
AEDP
Integrates attachment theory, affective neuroscience, and body-focused approaches to process difficult emotions and foster resilience.
Techniques- Dyadic regulation
- Meta-processing
- Moment-to-moment tracking
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Uses rapid eye movements to reprogram traumatic memories without prolonged exposure.
Techniques- Voluntary image replacement
- Rapid eye movements
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Contextual CBT emphasizing mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based action to promote psychological flexibility.
Techniques- Cognitive Defusion
- Values Work
- Committed Action
Adlerian Therapy
Emphasizes social interest, holism, and the individual's creative power in shaping their life. Focuses on overcoming feelings of inferiority.
Techniques- Lifestyle Analysis
- Early Recollections
- Acting "As If"
Attachment-Based Family Therapy
Repairs ruptures in the parent-child attachment bond to treat adolescent depression.
Techniques- Relational Reframes
- Attachment Tasks
Autogenic Training
Relaxation technique using self-generated affirmations to promote physical and mental well-being.
Techniques- Visualization
- Muscle relaxation
B
Behavioral Activation
Treats depression by increasing engagement in rewarding activities and reducing avoidance.
Techniques- Activity scheduling
- Graded tasks
Bioenergetic Analysis
Combines body and mind work to resolve emotional problems, influenced by Wilhelm Reich.
Techniques- Grounding
- Expressive movement
Brainspotting
Uses eye positions to access and process trauma stored in the subcortical brain.
Techniques- Eye positioning
- Focused mindfulness
- Bilateral sound
Brief Strategic Family Therapy
Targets problematic family interactions to treat adolescent substance abuse and delinquency.
Techniques- Joining
- Restructuring
C
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Non-directive approach using play to help children express and explore experiences.
Techniques- Reflective listening
- Limit-setting
Clean Language
Uses metaphor and non-leading questions to help clients explore their inner symbolic landscape.
Techniques- Clean questions
- Metaphor modeling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Structured therapy focusing on identifying and modifying maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.
Techniques- Cognitive Restructuring
- Exposure
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Structured treatment for PTSD focusing on modifying maladaptive beliefs related to trauma.
Techniques- Impact statement
- Stuck points
Coherence Therapy
Focuses on memory reconsolidation to transform unconscious emotional truths that drive symptoms.
Techniques- Symptom deprivation
- Juxtaposition
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Designed for clients with high shame and self-criticism. Focus is on cultivating a compassionate mind to regulate mood.
Techniques- Compassionate imagery
- Soothing breathing
D
Developmental Model
Views couples' issues through a developmental lens, focusing on differentiation.
Techniques- Differentiation exercises
- Initiator-Inquirer
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Balances acceptance and change to help clients regulate emotions. Gold standard for BPD.
Techniques- Mindfulness
- Distress Tolerance
Discernment Counseling
Short-term therapy for couples where one partner considers divorce. Focus is on clarity.
Techniques- Mixed-agenda assessment
- Decision paths
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Attachment-focused therapy for children with trauma. Focus is on the caregiver-child relationship.
Techniques- PACE
- Affective-reflective dialogue
E
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Attachment-based therapy focusing on changing negative interactional patterns to foster secure bonds.
Techniques- Cycle Tracking
- Enactments
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)
Uses light, color, and eye movements to rapidly transform emotional states.
Techniques- Visual stimulation
- Color therapy
Encounter-Centered Couples Therapy
Focuses on creating deep, authentic connections through structured encounters.
Techniques- Crossing the bridge
- The encounter
Existential Analysis
Helps individuals find meaning and authenticity by addressing existential themes.
Techniques- Phenomenological analysis
- Meaning finding
EMDR
Uses bilateral stimulation to facilitate processing of traumatic memories.
Techniques- Bilateral stimulation
- Desensitization
F
Family Systems Therapy
Views individual problems as manifestations of family dynamics. Focus is on altering patterns of interaction.
Techniques- Genograms
- Structural mapping
Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy
Integrates Gendlin's Focusing with art therapy to access the body's implicit knowing.
Techniques- Felt sense
- Artistic expression
Formative Psychology
Somatic approach focusing on how emotional experiences shape bodily structure.
Techniques- Voluntary effort
- Somatic exercises
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
Behavioral therapy focusing on the therapeutic relationship as a context for change.
Techniques- Clinically relevant behaviors
- Reinforcement
G
Gottman Method
Research-based couples therapy focusing on friendship, conflict management, and shared meaning.
Techniques- Love Maps
- Softened Startup
H
Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR)
Body-centered trauma resolution viewing memories as holographic and stored in the body-mind.
Techniques- Somatic awareness
- Color coding
Humanistic Therapy
Emphasizes self-actualization, personal growth, and human potential.
Techniques- Active listening
- Unconditional positive regard
I
Identity-Oriented Psychotrauma Therapy (IoPT)
Theorizes that trauma leads to splits in the psyche. Focus is on healing these splits.
Techniques- Intention method
- Trauma constellations
Imago Relationship Therapy
Focuses on healing childhood wounds that affect adult relationships. Focus is on the unconscious "imago."
Techniques- Imago dialogue
- Parent-child exploration
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Views the mind as multiple "parts" led by a core Self. Focus is on achieving inner harmony.
Techniques- Unblending
- Self-Leadership
Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT)
Focuses on changing maladaptive patterns rooted in early attachment relationships.
Techniques- Copy process analysis
- Gift of love
ISTDP
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy aims to rapidly resolve unconscious conflicts.
Techniques- Pressure to feel
- Challenge defenses
J
Jungian Analysis
Depth psychology focusing on individuation, archetypes, and the collective unconscious.
Techniques- Dream Analysis
- Active Imagination
L
Lifespan Integration
Uses a psychological timeline to facilitate neural integration and heal trauma.
Techniques- Timeline repetitions
- Imaginal nurturing
Logotherapy
Healing through the search for meaning. Focus is on finding purpose even in suffering.
Techniques- Paradoxical intention
- Dereflection
M
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)
Focuses on modifying beliefs about thinking (metacognition) to reduce worry.
Techniques- Detached mindfulness
- Attention training
Method of Levels (MOL)
Transdiagnostic therapy based on Perceptual Control Theory.
Techniques- Metaperception
- Focus on disruption
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Client-centered approach to resolving ambivalence about change.
Techniques- Reflective listening
- Change talk
N
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Short-term treatment for trauma survivors emphasizing life story.
Techniques- Lifeline construction
- Testimony
NARM
Neuro-Affective Relational Model treating complex trauma and attachment.
Techniques- Agency inquiry
- Somatic mindfulness
O
Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI)
Trauma therapy using eye movements to process memories.
Techniques- Visual switching
- Glitch removal
P
PACT
Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy integrating neuroscience.
Techniques- Arousal regulation
- Secure bubble
Positive Psychotherapy
Culturally sensitive approach focusing on human potential.
Techniques- Balance model
- Transcultural storytelling
Process-Oriented Psychology
Follows the flow of experience through body symptoms and dreams.
Techniques- Amplification
- Secondary process
R
Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)
Treats disorders of overcontrol like anorexia and OCD.
Techniques- Social signaling
- Flexible mind
Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT)
Uses hypnosis and guided imagery to resolve trauma without reliving it.
Techniques- Hypnotic induction
- Metaphor
Relational Cultural Therapy (RCT)
Feminist approach emphasizing relationships as the key to growth.
Techniques- Mutual empathy
- Power analysis
S
Schema Therapy
Integrates CBT and experiential techniques to treat personality disorders.
Techniques- Limited Reparenting
- Mode Work
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Body-oriented trauma therapy releasing thwarted survival energy.
Techniques- Pendulation
- Titration
Systemic Constellations
Reveals hidden dynamics in family systems.
Techniques- Representatives
- Spatial arrangement
T
Time Perspective Therapy
Modifies time perspective to improve mental health.
Techniques- Time balancing
- Future orientation
Trauma-Informed Stabilization (TIST)
Focuses on stabilization and integration for complex trauma.
Techniques- Parts work
- Sensorimotor interventions
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Examining a person's relationships and interactions via ego states.
Techniques- Script analysis
- Game analysis
U
Unified Protocol (UP)
Transdiagnostic CBT for emotional disorders.
Techniques- Emotion exposure
- Mindful awareness
V
Video-feedback Intervention (VIPP)
Attachment-based intervention using video feedback for parents.
Techniques- Video review
- Sensitivity training
Voice Dialogue
Communicating with sub-personalities within.
Techniques- Facilitating voices
- Aware Ego
W
Wilderness Therapy
Uses outdoor experiences to promote personal growth.
Techniques- Survival skills
- Group process
Z
Zero Balancing
Body-mind therapy using skilled touch to balance energy and structure.
Techniques- Fulcrums
- Bone energy
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