When trying to find the right therapist, it is important to know the different types of therapies offered. There are four categories in which psychological therapies fall into. Here, Stuart MacFarlane, a therapist In London talks about the four categories in therapies fall.

The first category is cognitive and behavioral therapy, which is based on the way you think and behave. Behavioral or cognitive therapy works on changing or reconditioning your thoughts or behavior to overcome certain problems. Behavioral therapy can include the following:

ACT – acceptance and commitment therapy

Behavioral therapy

CAT – cognitive analytic therapy

CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive therapy

The second category is psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies. It is this category in which therapist Stuart MacFarlane specializes in. This type of therapy focuses on the individual’s or couples’ unconscious thoughts which have developed throughout their life and how each one of the thoughts affects them currently, both in their thoughts and behavior. Psychoanalytical therapies include:

Jungian therapy

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalytical therapy

Psychodynamic therapy

The third type of therapy falls under humanistic therapies. According to MacFarlane, humanistic therapy is used to help the patient focus on self-development, growth and responsibilities. With this, the individual focuses on the present and their own strengths and creativeness. The following fall under the humanistic therapies umbrella:

Existential therapy

Gestalt therapy

Human Givens psychotherapy

Person, or client, centered therapy

Psychosynthesis

Reality therapy

Solution-focused therapy

Transactional analysis

Transpersonal psychology

The fourth and final category of therapies is arts therapy, which use creatives to help an individual. Typically, arts therapy is performed in a therapeutic environment and can include:

Art therapy/psychotherapy

Drama therapy

Music therapy

Stuart MacFarlane notes that just because there are these four categories, that does not mean there aren’t any other forms of therapy an individual could use. Other forms of therapy could include equine therapy, group therapy, and family therapy among others. MacFarlane also notes if you are looking to start therapy, don’t get discouraged. Therapy that works for one person in a similar situation may not work for everyone. Don’t give up and you will find a therapy that works best for you.