Therapy Approaches Explained

Understanding Different Therapy Approaches

Therapy can feel confusing when you see many different models or acronyms. The purpose of this page is to help you understand the approaches therapists may use, in simple and supportive language.

Before exploring the individual approaches, it helps to know that:

Whatever model your therapist uses, the most important part of therapy is the relationship you build together.
Feeling safe, understood and supported makes the biggest difference.

Many therapists blend several approaches to match your needs, which is known as Integrative Therapy. You can learn more about this below.

A Note on Integrative Therapy

Integrative therapy blends different therapeutic approaches into a personalised way of working. Instead of fitting you into one model, the therapist adapts the process to your needs, pace and goals.

It recognises that:

• you are a whole person, not a set of symptoms

• different issues may need different tools

• your nervous system, history and preferences matter

• therapy should evolve with you

• the relationship is central to healing

For many people, integrative therapy is a gentle, flexible and reassuring place to start.