One of the primary obstacles to comprehensive therapeutic care is trying out one form of therapy, not finding it beneficial, and then abandoning counseling altogether. Unfortunately, not all types of therapy are helpful to every person. While it might be a challenge at first to sample different methods—especially when you’re overcoming addiction—in the long run, landing on an approach that resonates with you promotes more effective healing.

A Closer Look at Different Types of Therapy

Whether you’re researching alcohol and drug rehab programs or looking for supplemental professional support once you’re in recovery, it’s important to know a few more details about various therapeutic methods so you know what to expect. We’ve compiled a list of some of the more common forms of therapy and additional resources that can help you find the right fit. 

• Acceptance and commitment therapy

This approach focuses on helping you accept thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them, while committing to actions that align with your values. It combines mindfulness strategies with behavior change techniques to increase psychological flexibility.

• Animal-assisted therapy

When talk therapy doesn’t create a gateway, working with animals in therapy sessions provides comfort, support, and companionship, which can enhance emotional well-being and social interaction. It’s often helpful to lessen anxiety, improve mood, and promote healing and rehabilitation.

• Behavioral therapy

The goal with this method is to identify and change unhealthy behaviors through techniques such as conditioning, reinforcement, and exposure. People with psychological issues such as phobias, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder consider it a good option.

• Brainspotting

Developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, brainspotting identifies and processes trauma by locating points in the client’s visual field that correlate with emotionally charged issues. This method leverages the brain-body connection to facilitate deep healing and resolution of psychological distress.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy 

CBT addresses and challenges negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation and develop healthier coping mechanisms. It’s widely used to treat addiction, anxiety, depression, and other disorders by fostering cognitive restructuring and behavior change.

• Contingency management

This behavioral therapy uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors, often through tangible rewards. It’s commonly used in addiction treatment to promote sobriety and adherence to treatment plans by providing incentives for meeting specific goals.

• Dialectical behavior therapy

As a combination of cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices, DBT helps you manage intense emotions and improve relationships. It involves skills-training in distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

Also known as EMDR, this psychotherapy method uses guided eye movements so people can  process and integrate traumatic memories. It aims to reduce the emotional distress associated with trauma. Studies indicate it’s frequently effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.

• Family therapy

A popular type of therapy in rehabilitation centers, the goal of family therapy is to improve communication and resolve conflicts within a family system. It aims to strengthen relationships and address issues that affect the entire family unit, such as addiction, behavioral problems, interpersonal dynamics, and mental health issues.

• Humanistic therapy

The foundation of this application emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, encouraging you to explore your feelings and take responsibility for your actions. It’s based on the belief that people are inherently good and have the potential for self-improvement and finding meaning in life.

• Motivational interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a person-centered approach that aims to enhance motivation for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. It uses techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to help you identify your own reasons for making positive changes.

• Multicultural therapy

This relatively new approach aims to address issues related to cultural identity, discrimination, and social justice, promoting culturally sensitive and inclusive healing practices. Trained counselors incorporate their clients’ cultural beliefs, values, and experiences into the therapeutic process. 

• Music therapy

Music interventions are used to achieve therapeutic goals such as reducing anxiety, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function. It involves activities such as listening to music, singing, playing instruments, and composing music to support emotional, physical, and social well-being.

• Neurotherapy

Also known as neurofeedback, you’ll learn to train your brain to self-regulate by monitoring brainwave activity and providing real-time feedback. Therapists frequently use this approach to treat conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD.

• Positive psychology 

This method focuses on enhancing well-being and happiness by cultivating positive emotions, strengths, and virtues. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude, resilience, and meaningful engagement in life to promote overall mental health and fulfillment.

• Psychodynamic therapy

Counselors explore unconscious processes and past experiences, particularly childhood experiences, to understand your current behavior and emotional issues. The goal is to uncover and resolve deep-seated conflicts and improve self-awareness and emotional functioning.

• Trauma-informed therapy

This approach emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment, helping you rebuild a sense of control and heal from traumatic experiences. It’s an essential tool in our Tactical Recovery Veterans’ program.

Comprehensive Therapy Services at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire 

There’s a strategy to many counseling approaches, and some may be better suited to your needs than others. At our three trauma-informed treatment centers, we believe that you deserve to learn more about what methods enhance your mental and emotional wellness. That’s why we offer various services to provide you with options that lead to success, such as:  

• Cognitive behavioral therapy 
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques
• Motivational interviewing

Combined with access to early recovery skills, relapse prevention methods, and stress management techniques, our therapeutic offerings ensure that you feel like a person, not as a diagnosis. If this is the care you’re looking for, contact one of our admissions specialists today to learn more.