Psychotherapy types can be grouped according to how the work is delivered (individual, group, couples and family, for example) and according to the theoretical approach (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, for example); there is no single definitive list. The psychotherapy process does not have to proceed through a single method or a standard path: depending on the person’s reason for seeking support, the nature of the difficulties they experience, and their expectations and needs, the theoretical and clinical frameworks of different approaches can be drawn upon. For a general definition of psychotherapy, see What Is Psychotherapy?.
On what criteria are psychotherapy types distinguished?
Sources group the types by different criteria. A review published in a Uludağ University journal (Korkmaz, 2019) addresses psychotherapy types according to treatment format and structure: individual, group, couples and family therapy, psychodrama and play therapy. The NHS and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), by contrast, mostly list approaches by theoretical orientation. For this reason, the question “how many types of psychotherapy are there?” has no single answer.
| Criterion | Question it answers | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Format of delivery | With whom and how are sessions held? | Individual, group, couples and family therapy; in person or online |
| Theoretical approach | Which theory does the work draw on? | Cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal therapy |
| Structure and duration | How are sessions conducted and how long do they last? | Structured or flexible; shorter-term or longer-term |
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that focuses on how thoughts, emotions and behaviors affect one another. RCPsych describes CBT not as a single therapy but as a group of therapies and notes that it focuses mainly on present-day difficulties rather than the past; the NHS says that the therapist helps the person change how they think and act, and that applying what is learned between sessions is expected.
What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an approach that focuses on understanding how a person’s present feelings and behavior may be related to past experiences, as well as relationship patterns and the inner world. RCPsych notes that individual psychodynamic psychotherapy usually involves regular 50-minute meetings and that the therapist helps the person make connections between the past and the present.
What are interpersonal, supportive and other approaches?
Some of the other approaches frequently mentioned in the sources are:
- Interpersonal therapy: According to the NHS, the person talks about problems in their relationships and learns ways of dealing with them; RCPsych says the aim is to understand how problems may be connected to the way relationships work.
- Counseling and supportive approaches: According to the NHS, the person talks about thoughts, feelings and experiences and the therapist helps them find their own solutions; NIMH describes supportive counseling as exploring troubling issues and receiving emotional support.
- Cognitive analytic therapy: According to RCPsych, it is a brief therapy, often about 16 sessions, that draws on techniques and understanding derived from both cognitive and psychodynamic approaches.
- Couples and family therapy: According to the NHS, couples work with a therapist on problems in their relationship; RCPsych also describes approaches that work with relationships within couples and families.
The NHS also lists EMDR and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The scope and use of these terms may vary from one institution to another.
What is the difference between individual, group, couples and family therapy?
This distinction has more to do with who takes part in the sessions than with theory. The NHS notes that for some therapies a choice between group and one-to-one sessions may be offered; RCPsych states that any approach can also be used in a group, and that groups usually consist of people with similar problems. For individual work with adults, see What Is Individual Psychotherapy for Adults?.
Can a professional draw on more than one approach?
According to NIMH, a therapist may use one primary approach or bring together elements of several; this choice depends on the therapist’s training, the person’s needs and the difficulty being addressed. RCPsych also notes that the approaches share many objectives and techniques. The same source does not recommend continuing more than one separate psychotherapy at the same time; this is different from drawing on elements of different approaches within a single process. For a comparison of the two core approaches, see What Is the Difference Between CBT and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?.
How is it decided which approach is suitable?
RCPsych states that the most suitable therapy depends on the type of the problem, its severity and how long it has lasted, and recommends taking professional advice. The person’s expectations, preferences about the way of working and fit with the professional are part of this assessment. For selection criteria, questions that can be asked in the first session and what can be done when the fit does not feel right, see How Is the Suitable Way of Working Assessed?.
Expert note
Although the names of approaches provide a classification, in clinical work a person is not placed under a label; the focus of the work takes shape around the person’s life story, relationships and recurring patterns. Knowing the name of an approach gives a general idea of how the process may work, but the details of the work differ from person to person.
From a perspective that draws on both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic theory, working with the cycles that maintain present-day symptoms and understanding their roots in relationships and in the past do not exclude each other. Which approach, or which combination of approaches, is suitable usually becomes clear only after an assessment; the information in this article does not replace that assessment.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
How many types of psychotherapy are there?
There is no single definitive list; sources group the types by delivery format or by theoretical approach. Different institutions may use different names or subcategories for the same approach.
Which type of psychotherapy is the most effective?
There is no single answer to this question that applies to everyone. RCPsych states that the right therapy depends on the type, severity and duration of the problem, and that personal factors are also very important.
Does a professional work with only one approach?
According to NIMH, therapists may use one primary approach or use elements of several together. This choice depends on the therapist’s training, the difficulty being addressed and the person’s needs.
Is CBT a single method?
RCPsych describes CBT not as a single therapy but as a group of therapies. For this reason, different techniques and ways of delivering it may be found under the name CBT.
Can a person continue with two different psychotherapies at the same time?
RCPsych does not recommend continuing more than one psychotherapy at the same time. If there is such a need or any hesitation, it may be appropriate to talk with the professional leading the process and review the way of working together.
Sources
This article was prepared for general information; the following sources were used in preparing it (all in English except the one marked as Turkish):
- NHS (UK National Health Service): Types of talking therapies
- Royal College of Psychiatrists: Psychotherapies and psychological treatments
- Royal College of Psychiatrists: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- NIMH (US National Institute of Mental Health): Psychotherapies
- Korkmaz (2019), Uludağ University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Journal of Social Sciences: Types of psychotherapy depending on their structure and ethical issues (in Turkish)
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
