Written by LaKeisha Fleming, Fortune Recommends Writer
In 2022, close to 56 million adults in the United States received some form of mental health treatment, including therapy. (1) Therapy is a beneficial way for a mental health professional to help you address and treat various issues. Yet older adults are less likely to receive the mental health treatment they need than individuals in younger age groups. (2) This could be due to the stigma of getting mental health care, lack of access to therapists or other professionals, or the erroneous belief that older adults don’t benefit from therapy.
Therapist Rychel Johnson, who primarily works with therapy clients in the millennial and Gen Z age groups, shares that there’s a common theme with how older adults relate to mental health care. “My young adult clients share that their parents don’t feel like therapy is needed unless someone has mental health concerns that place them in danger. Therapy remains stigmatized among many older adults compared to people in younger generations.” This difference makes it difficult for some people to access the care they need.
Despite barriers that can keep people from seeking out care, 75% of people say that therapy helped them treat their mental health issues. (3) But knowing that therapy can help isn’t enough; it’s important to understand which therapy will address your issues. We discuss the most common types of therapy, the conditions each type of therapy treats, and how to decide which type of therapy works best for you.
Meet the expert
Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC, specializes in anxiety and social skills development as a licensed clinical professional counselor. She emphasizes that everyone deserves to feel empowered to live a healthy, balanced life.
Types of therapy
Hundreds of varieties of therapies exist. Various therapies are used to address specific issues. Many of the popular therapy methods fall under the umbrella of psychotherapy, which means a mental health professional helps you work through your challenges. (3) They can do this in several ways.
“Among the plethora of therapy types, some notable ones include cognitive behavioral therapies, which target negative thoughts and behaviors; psychodynamic therapies, focusing on past experiences and unconscious influences; humanistic therapies, which emphasize personal growth and self-actualization; integrative or holistic therapies, which merge elements from various approaches to fit the individual’s needs; and existential therapies, which delve into life’s existential questions, promoting self-reflection and personal responsibility,” explains Joel Frank, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with Duality Psychological Services.
Read on to understand how the various categories of therapy intersect and how you can determine which one works best for you.
Behavioral therapy
This type of therapy adopts the approach that a person’s behavior can be modified, and those changed behaviors will positively impact your mental health. When using behavioral therapy, therapists help clients get to the root of their problem and determine how to address the behavior constructively.
“It employs various techniques to promote positive behavior changes, including exposure therapy, role-playing, and reinforcement strategies. These methods provide a supportive environment for individuals to learn and practice new behaviors,” says Dr. Frank.
Because this type of therapy focuses on modifying behaviors and incorporating new ways of thinking and acting, it can be woven into other therapy approaches. Some include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which helps individuals with autism learn behaviors that enhance their communication skills and increase their ability to focus. (4) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which we will dive into in more detail below, helps clients change their behaviors. It differs from behavioral therapy because it adds the element of helping you understand how your thoughts impact your feelings.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), another that we examine below, modifies behavior but uses mindfulness. It’s beneficial in helping people who’ve dealt with trauma cope with an experience. Social Learning Theory focuses on interactions with others and communication in relationships. Improving these interactions can lead to less mental distress and improve mental health.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most common forms of psychotherapy. (5) It goes beyond dealing with a person’s behavior. It delves into current thought patterns and past ways of thinking that contribute to your behavior. The therapy then helps you change your thinking patterns, which leads to modifying your negative behaviors and feelings.
Changing your mindset and how you’ve thought about and perceived things for years takes work. CBT can guide you through the process. You can role-play to learn how to manage your reactions in certain situations, do mindfulness exercises to calm your body and mind, and face your fears without running away from them. It’s a multi-faceted therapy style.
“CBT is adaptable and includes various subtypes like rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), which focuses on challenging irrational beliefs; cognitive therapy, which aims at altering distorted thinking; and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy techniques,” states Dr. Frank.
CBT is helpful in treating eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, sleep disorders, and more. (6) It’s also used to treat anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. If you’re looking into CBT therapy, our list of the best online cognitive behavioral therapy options is a great place to start.
Dialectical behavioral therapy
Referred to as DBT, dialectical behavior therapy focuses on helping people accept the realities in their everyday lives and regulate their emotional behaviors and responses to those realities. (7) People who deal with strong emotional pain can find ways to cope and heal through DBT. It works by helping you look at unhealthy behaviors and intense emotions, then uses various techniques to implement healthy ways to respond.
“DBT emphasizes developing four key skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness through group therapy, individual therapy, and phone coaching, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with these guiding principles,” Frank noted.
People who experience borderline personality disorder (BPD) commonly receive DBT as a form of treatment. (7) It’s also beneficial for a variety of issues, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy helps you revisit past experiences, including those from childhood, and looks at how those events impact your current state of mind. It’s a form of talk therapy guiding you through the process of understanding where your emotional distress started as a way of helping you deal with and manage it. Many types of treatment help you explore past events to walk you through trauma and mental upheaval. Psychodynamic therapy is different because it focuses less on behavior and more on the early mental and emotional patterns that led to the behavior.
Psychodynamic therapy resonates well with many people who want to better understand the roots of their mental health issues and stressors. However, exploring childhood and early life experiences may not be for everyone. Johnson shares, “In situations where someone is seeking short-term therapy, psychodynamic may not be appropriate. It’s a longer-term approach.”
Brief psychodynamic therapy is one type of this treatment, where a person has one therapy session (thus the word “brief”) and usually surrounds a frightening or traumatic event. (8) Psychodynamic family therapy usually happens in a group setting with family members and involves longer-term treatment. Psychodynamic therapy can involve using music or art as the vehicle for a patient to express their thoughts and feelings.
Psychodynamic therapy uses several approaches, including psychoanalysis, which says that conflicts during childhood and unconscious beliefs affect current behavior, and integrative therapies, where therapists combine several therapeutic techniques to help patients through their mental health journey. (9)
People who have had severe emotional or psychological issues can benefit from this type of therapy. (10) If you’ve had challenges maintaining healthy relationships, dealing with mood disorders, struggling with low self-esteem, or unresolved feelings from past experiences, psychodynamic therapy may be for you. It also helps those dealing with substance abuse and addiction, bipolar disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Humanistic therapy
Humanistic therapy assumes that each individual is capable of growth, self-awareness, and self-development. (11) To facilitate healing, humanistic therapists help you focus on your present thoughts rather than delving into past issues.
People with low self-esteem, who feel like they struggle with finding purpose and meaning in their lives, and who feel uncomfortable with who they are could benefit from humanistic therapy. The therapy also helps with addiction, family conflicts, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. (12)
Group therapy
People looking for a supportive therapy experience with others dealing with the same issue may benefit from group therapy. This type of therapy happens when one or more therapists treat several patients simultaneously.
While some patients find groups intimidating, for others, it gives feelings of acceptance.
“Group therapy benefits those seeking to break the isolation of their struggles by connecting with others. It offers a platform for individuals to be heard and share their healing journey. Individuals participating in group therapy can experience personal growth and contribute to a community of support, resilience, and hope,” said Frank.
Group therapy works best when everyone in the group is focused on dealing with a specific problem, like depression, obesity, panic disorders, or substance abuse. Group therapy is also beneficial for those walking through a shared experience, such as losing a loved one to suicide, dealing with miscarriage, or experiencing divorce.
If you are concerned about sharing your thoughts and feelings with others along with your therapist or need help engaging with others in the group dynamic, group therapy may not be suitable for you. Consult your therapist before joining a group to ensure it is the right fit. (13)
How to choose a therapy type
It can be hard to know precisely which type of therapy you need when you’re starting. You may find that a therapist can help you determine which type works best for you. As you make that decision, here are some essential things to consider.
First, think about the issue you want to tackle in therapy. The most common mental health issues that older adults deal with are depression and anxiety. (14) Loneliness with the loss of friends or the grief of losing a spouse, concerns about finances, and fear of dealing with health challenges can also factor in. Take time to process your thoughts and feelings, then search for a therapist who offers what you need. Remember that you may benefit from more than one type of therapy, as each type provides different approaches and perspectives.
Also, decide whether you want therapy in person or virtually or want a therapist who offers both. Some people love the convenience and flexibility of doing sessions from home. If this interests you, take a look at our recommendations for the best online therapy. Other people don’t want to deal with technology and prefer the connection they feel with an in-person therapy session.
Affordability is a vital part of your therapy search. Most older adults in the United States have mental health coverage through Medicare, but it may not always offer enough coverage to make therapy affordable. And some therapists don’t accept Medicare. (15)
Although you may have private insurance that you want to use, your therapist might not accept it. That means you have to pay out of pocket. Is your therapist cost-prohibitive? Our list of the best online therapy platforms that take insurance may be helpful when researching insurance-friendly therapy.
Making a list of your therapy needs in order of importance is a good place to start your search. Knowing your must-haves versus areas where you’re flexible can save you time and effort in your therapy search.
FAQs
What is the most common type of therapy?
The most common type of therapy, particularly in Western contexts, is CBT. CBT is a form of psychotherapy based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and that changing negative thought patterns can lead to changes in feelings and behaviors.
CBT has been extensively studied and has strong empirical support. It’s been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many others. (5)
Unlike some other forms of therapy, CBT is often structured and time-limited, usually lasting around 12-20 sessions. This makes it a practical choice for therapists and clients looking for a solution that doesn’t require a long-term commitment.
CBT focuses on teaching clients specific skills that they can use to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. These skills can include cognitive restructuring (challenging and changing negative thought patterns), behavioral activation (engaging in positive activities), and problem-solving strategies.
Unlike therapies that delve deeply into the past, CBT is often more focused on current problems and practical solutions. This approach resonates with many people who are looking for tangible results in their daily lives.
What is the deepest form of therapy?
The term “deepest” in the context of therapy usually refers to forms of psychotherapy that delve deeply into the unconscious mind, exploring underlying psychological conflicts, past experiences, and deeply ingrained patterns of behavior and emotion. The deepest form of therapy, in this sense, is often considered to be psychoanalysis.
Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s based on the theory that unconscious forces, including unresolved conflicts and repressed memories from early childhood, significantly influence an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. (16)
Psychoanalysis aims to uncover and work through these unconscious influences. This is achieved through techniques such as free association (where the patient speaks freely about whatever comes to mind), dream analysis, and examining resistance and transference (redirecting feelings about significant people in the patient’s life onto the therapist).
Unlike more structured therapies like CBT, psychoanalysis is typically a long-term process, often lasting for several years. Sessions are frequent, usually multiple times a week, and the relationship between the analyst and the patient is central to the therapeutic process.
What is the most effective therapy?
The concept of “most effective therapy” can vary depending on the specific condition being treated, the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances, and the context in which the therapy is delivered. However, CBT is often cited as one of the most effective forms of therapy across a wide range of mental health conditions.
Our experts
Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC
Rychel is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Kansas. She owns a private practice specializing in anxiety treatment and social skills development. Rychel also enjoys extensive road trips and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
Krista Manning
Krista Manning is an accomplished medical copy editor and fact-checker who stands out in the pharmaceutical, health, and wellness domains. With a meticulous eye for detail and a command of medical language, Krista ensures the accuracy and clarity of content. Beyond her professional expertise, Krista is an advocate for mental health awareness. Recognizing the crucial intersection of psychological and physical well-being, she actively contributes to projects that promote mental health awareness within the healthcare narrative. Krista’s commitment extends beyond the pages she edits, emphasizing the holistic nature of health communication.
LaKeisha Fleming
Fortune Recommends Writer
About Author
LaKeisha Fleming is a writer, content creator, motivational speaker, instructor, and filmmaker. She is the founder and president of Vision 2:2 Productions, a multimedia production company. She began her career in television news, working for Cable News Network (CNN) in Atlanta. She has also worked as a writer and in various TV and film production roles for Tyler Perry Studios. Her other writing clients include Insider, Verywell Mind, Verywell Family, PsychCentral, and numerous others. Learn more about her work at www.lakeishafleming.com.