Types of Psychotherapy

This therapy encourages experiencing thoughts and feelings without judgment, committed to personal values, and developing psychological flexibility. It teaches children to notice and accept emotions like anxiety or sadness while engaging in meaningful behaviours aligned with their values.

ABFT involves structured sessions that foster emotional safety and trust. Parents and children explore relational ruptures, improve communication, and rebuild connections—helpful in treating issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma by strengthening attachment.

CBT is goal-oriented and structured. Patients learn to track negative automatic thoughts, challenge cognitive distortions, and test new, healthier behaviours. Useful across a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, and more.

It provides a safe space to explore patterns of conflict, emotional distance, or unmet needs that may be straining the relationship. The therapist works collaboratively with both individuals to help them identify shared goals, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional intimacy. Couples therapy can be helpful for partners navigating challenges such as recurring arguments, life transitions, infidelity, or differences in parenting and values.

DBT combines acceptance and change strategies. It includes modules on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Effective for self-harm, emotional dysregulation, and borderline personality traits.

This systemic therapy recognises how family dynamics affect individual well‑being. Therapists work with families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster healthier relationships. Often used for behavioural issues, parent‑child difficulties, and systemic challenges.

In group therapy, participants share experiences and gain feedback from peers under therapeutic guidance. It fosters empathy, reduces isolation, and offers a space to practice social skills in a supportive setting—ideal for social anxiety, depression, or relational difficulties.

IPT focuses on current relational issues and interpersonal contexts. It identifies problem areas—grief, role transitions, disputes, or social deficits—and improves communication strategies and emotional support systems.

MBT enhances the ability to interpret self and others’ mental states. It strengthens empathy, emotional regulation, and self‑identity—particularly beneficial for adolescents dealing with identity confusion or emotional instability.

Combining directive and non-directive methods, this therapy balances structure and freedom. Children use art and play to express emotions symbolically, while therapists offer varying degrees of support or guidance to facilitate learning and growth.

This approach targets relational patterns between parents and children. Through guided interactions and modeling, it reinforces positive behaviors, improves communication, and builds secure attachment bonds.

Play therapy creates a natural medium for children to express their inner world. Through symbolic play, they explore emotions, learn problem‑solving, and gain self‑awareness. Therapists facilitate play to gently guide understanding and resolution.

Based on psychoanalytic principles, this therapy explores unconscious patterns, childhood experiences, and emotional conflicts. It aims to enhance self‑awareness, insight, and emotional maturation over longer‑term therapy.

Children arrange sand and figures to create scenes representing their inner experiences. Therapists observe and may interpret themes, supporting the child as needed while respecting the symbolic narrative and promoting self‑exploration.

This pragmatic approach provides emotional support, coping tools, and reassurance. Therapists help children manage stressors, reinforce strengths, and foster adaptive coping mechanisms—often used in crises or acute distress.

Trauma-Informed Therapy doesn’t follow a single method but is a guiding framework that acknowledges the prevalence and impact of trauma. Therapists using this approach:
• Prioritise physical and emotional safety.
• Build trust with the client.
• Emphasise empowerment, collaboration, and choice.
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, and even staff.

This approach can be integrated with other therapies like CBT, DBT, or play therapy. It is especially beneficial for individuals with histories of abuse, neglect, violence, or chronic stress, ensuring that treatment avoids re-traumatisation and promotes healing in a respectful, supportive manner.