Types of therapy
Making sense of all the different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy can be a bewildering task. We have structured our website to enable you to search for the information you want in three ways:
- Start by watching our video above on how to make sense of the different types of therapy;
- You can scroll through the types of therapy we offer below or use the drop down menu above;
- You can search through our list of practitioners, each of whom has a page explaining how they work, who they see and whether they are located in Brighton and Hove or Lewes;
- You can search through the different types of issues we work with.
If you are still unsure please either give us a call or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you to assist.
What is the difference between the types of therapy?
One way of thinking about the different types of therapy, or approaches, is to imagine them as different languages to help make sense of a problem.
Some of these languages consider the issue or problem that a client brings from the perspective of how the past may be being repeated in their present relationships. Others see all suffering as problems of living, and the work is to form a collaboration with the client to find meaning in their life to alleviate suffering.
Often the type of therapy that will work best for you depends on how you think about your problem and what ‘language’ you use to make sense of it.
Ultimately, with the vast majority of symptoms, there is no evidence that one type of therapy is more effective than another; what heals is the therapeutic relationship.
What types of therapy do we offer?
Our therapists are trained in a variety approaches which are integrated into the work and drawn upon to suit the client’s needs. Therapists specialise in different modalities, according to theoretical orientation, professional interest and experience.
Acceptance commitment therapy: A mindfulness and acceptance-based approach to psychotherapy. ACT explores our experience and relationship to thoughts, without trying to eliminate or challenge the content of thoughts directly. Read more…
Analytic psychotherapy: An in-depth process of therapy working with how relational models from the past unconsciously play out in our present relationship to ourselves and others. Read more…
Body psychotherapy: Integrating the body into psychotherapy by working with manifestations of stress and trauma and psychosomatic illnesses. Read more…
Clinical psychology: A branch of applied psychology practiced by registered psychologists, which comprises an integrative short- and long-term approach in treating clients. Read more...
Cognitive behaviour therapy: A collaborative approach to helping clients become aware of how their thoughts and behaviours affect their feelings. Read more…
Compassion focused therapy: A CBT approach that concentrates on building awareness of when we are being judgmental and condemning, and works with the intended and unintended consequences of these thoughts. Read more…
Dialectical behaviour therapy: A highly specialised form of therapy designed to help clients who experience emotions very strongly and find it difficult to manage these emotions. Read more…
EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing): A specific intervention used to treat trauma (PTSD). It is delivered as a stand-alone treatment or alongside talking therapies. Read more…
Existential psychotherapy: A collaborative and philosophical approach to psychotherapy considering how the lack of meaning in our lives can lead to anxiety and depression. Read more…
Gestalt psychotherapy: Focuses on the relationship between the client and therapist and is an integrative approach to psychotherapy working in the ‘here-and-now’. Read more…
Group analytic psychotherapy: A psychologically- and cost-effective method of psychotherapy where participants are part of an ongoing psychotherapy group. Read more…
Integrative psychotherapy: Relational psychotherapy working with a clinician trained to integrate two or more approaches positing that there is no single approach that can address each issue that clients bring. Read more…
Interpersonal therapy: A time-limited psychotherapy which highlights the importance of social roles and relationships, in relation to psychological well-being. Read more…
Psychoanalytic child & adolescent psychotherapy: A core NHS profession requiring members to complete a four year full-time training in NHS child and adolescent mental health services, enabling them to provide specialist psychotherapy to infants, children and young people. Read more…
Systemic psychotherapy: A specialised type of therapy for couples and families working with the whole ‘system’, rather than focusing on individuals. Highly effective for couples and families struggling with conflict and relationships. Read more…
Transactional analysis: A collaborative approach which helps you clearly understand patterns of interaction with self and others, leading to personal growth and personal change. Read more…
Trauma psychotherapy: The linking of psychotherapy to body work with the energy systems in the body, those energy circuits in Chinese medicine known as meridians and in Hinduism as the chakras (also known as energy psychotherapy). Read more…
Who do we work with?
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy we offer counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups.
