If you’ve ever looked into starting therapy, you’ll know just how many different approaches there are, from CBT to person-centred counselling, psychodynamic therapy, and many more. It can feel confusing trying to understand which one might be right for you.

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In this post, we’ll look at some of the main types of therapy, how they work, and what you can expect from each.

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT)

CBT focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps you recognise unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more balanced ways of seeing situations.

CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and phobias. It’s typically structured and goal-oriented, which can make it effective over a shorter number of sessions.

2. Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy is a humanistic approach developed by Carl Rogers. It’s based on the belief that we all have the inner resources to grow and heal, given the right environment.

Your therapist offers empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, allowing you to explore your thoughts and feelings safely and without judgment. It’s especially supportive if you want to build self-esteem, confidence, and self-understanding.

3. Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences (often from childhood) influence your current emotions and relationships. It aims to bring unconscious patterns to the surface, helping you gain insight and make lasting changes.

This approach is more exploratory and open-ended, offering deep personal understanding over time.

4. Integrative Therapy

Many therapists use an integrative or eclectic approach, blending techniques from several models to best suit your needs.

For example, sessions might include elements of CBT for practical coping skills, alongside psychodynamic or person-centred work to explore underlying issues. This flexible style means therapy can adapt as you do.

5. Family and Couples Therapy

Family or couples therapy focuses on communication, boundaries, and relationship dynamics. It can help partners or family members understand each other’s perspectives and develop healthier ways to connect and resolve conflict.

6. Online Therapy

Modern life can make in-person sessions difficult to fit in. Online therapy, via video call, offers the same support and confidentiality, from the comfort of your own home. Many people find it more accessible and just as effective as face-to-face sessions

Which Type of Therapy Is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” type of therapy; the right one depends on your personal goals, challenges, and how you connect with your therapist.

A good starting point is to consider what you want to achieve through therapy: do you aim to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, develop coping strategies, or work through past experiences? A qualified therapist can guide you toward the most suitable approach.

Therapy in Northwich, Cheshire

If you’re looking for psychotherapy in Northwich, Cheshire, I offer sessions for adults and young people both in-person and online. My work draws on a range of therapeutic models, tailored to each client.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Together, we can explore what approach feels most comfortable and helpful for you.

Contact me today to arrange an initial phone chat and take the first step toward support and understanding.

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