There are many different types of therapy out there, and when choosing a therapist, it’s helpful to understand how their training and approaches will impact the kind of care you’ll get.

All licensed therapists are trained in a variety of approaches, called modalities, and they’ll use them like tools depending on what their client needs. 

Therapists often will combine different modalities during sessions. Just like a physical therapist will use heat and ice, specific exercises with weights, or different kinds of stretches depending on a patient’s injury, a behavioral therapist will use certain therapy modalities to treat specific diagnoses. For example, if a client presents with anxiety, their therapist may choose to use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy.  

Regardless of the diagnosis, Octave therapists primarily use Evidence-Based Therapy (EBT) which includes any therapy modality scientifically demonstrated to be effective. Evidence-based modalities have been more rigorously studied and are recommended by the American Psychological Association.

Below are the most common modalities practiced at Octave and the conditions they commonly treat. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on behaving more consistently with your own values, applying mindfulness skills, and leveraging acceptance skills. These skills ultimately develop psychological flexibility, which allows you to accept your thoughts and emotions without judgment and act on long-term values rather than short-term impulses.

A common treatment for: Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Substance Use

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

One of the most popular and well-studied therapy modalities, CBT, is the foundation for many other therapy modalities due to its evidence-based principles, emphasis on understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and its adaptability to address various mental health conditions and challenges. CBT aims to question and change negative thought patterns, apply emotional regulation techniques, and develop effective coping strategies. 

A common treatment for: Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Eating Disorders, Relationship Issues

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)

CBT-i is a specialized form of CBT that treats insomnia and other sleep-related difficulties. Using many of the same principles and tools of CBT, CBT-i focuses on identifying and modifying the negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to sleep issues. 

A common treatment for: Insomnia and other sleep-related disorders

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a cognitive-based therapy modality that helps people process and work through traumatic events and memories. Just like in CBT, CPT helps challenge and alter maladaptive thoughts and beliefs but is specifically focused on thoughts and memories related to past trauma. Common techniques of CPT include exposure therapy and cognitive reappraisal.

A common treatment for: Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is known for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties, making it a widely utilized modality in clinical settings. DBT emphasizes four key areas of skills building: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. 

This modality hinges on holding two seemingly opposite perspectives simultaneously, one of which is that a client can accept themselves but want to change at the same time. DBT promotes emotional balance and teaches skills for a more flexible, growth-promoting mindset. Fittingly, DBT’s name comes from the philosophical perspective of dialectics, which means “balancing opposites.”

A common treatment for: Anxiety, Binge-Eating, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bulimia, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP or EXRP)

This therapy type exposes clients to their fears and decreases avoidance. Therapists will implement exposure therapy in safe, controlled environments, equipping clients with coping skills and anxiety management. For someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a therapist might use ERP to help them confront their obsessions and resist engaging in compulsive behaviors, like touching something they fear is contaminated or deliberately leaving their physical space in disorder.

A common treatment for: Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorders, Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is slightly different from the other therapies described because it is not a form of talk-therapy. It’s a therapeutic approach where the client focuses on a traumatic memory and the therapist uses bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements, but also sounds and tapping — to reduce the vividness of the traumatic experience. Because of the way the brain stores traumatic memories, EMDR aims to help your brain reprocess the memory and “repair” the mental injury.

A common treatment for: Eating disorders, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD, and Phobias

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction focuses on reducing the negative consequences associated with risky behaviors, like substance use, rather than trying to eliminate the behavior. It emphasizes a non-judgmental and practical approach, aiming to minimize harm rather than demanding immediate abstinence, which may not be safe or realistic.

A common treatment for: Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorders

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT is an attachment-focused approach that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships, resolving conflicts, and enhancing communication skills, helping clients develop healthier ways of being in relationships with others. 

A common treatment for: Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Eating Disorders, and other mental health conditions that impact interpersonal relationships

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

The MBCT modality leverages the CBT modality and incorporates mindfulness, breathing exercises, and meditation. Mindfulness is used to help the client recognize thinking patterns and moods, help interrupt connections of negative moods that can trigger symptoms, encourage them to experience the world non-judgmentally and non-conceptually, manage difficult emotions, and help them be more present in everyday life.

A common treatment for: Anxiety Disorders and Depression 

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, client-centered approach that explores and resolves barriers to change. Motivational interviewing aims to elicit and strengthen the client's own motivations for positive behavioral change. By examining discrepancies between current behaviors and future goals, motivational interviewing helps to foster internal motivation and support people in making positive changes in their lives.

A common treatment for: Substance Use Disorders and other mental and physical health conditions

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

PE is a specific type of therapy designed to treat trauma by gradually and safely confronting traumatic memories and associated experiences. By revisiting and recounting traumatic experiences in a controlled manner, the client learns to process and integrate traumatic memories, thereby reducing distress.

A common treatment for: Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD

Brief Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in the idea that our unconscious thoughts can influence our thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. A psychodynamic approach involves exploring the client's past experiences and relationships and working through unresolved issues to promote personal growth and emotional well-being. 

Brief Psychodynamic Therapy is a specific version of this approach that is goal-oriented and can show positive results after 10-20 sessions, versus long-term Psychodynamic Therapy that can take years.

A common treatment for: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Relationship Issues

Relational Therapy

Relational therapy emphasizes the importance of relationships and how they can positively impact a person’s well-being. Relational therapy explores patterns of interaction, attachment dynamics, and interpersonal challenges and commonly integrates cognitive behavioral techniques to address and promote healthy interpersonal behaviors.

A common treatment for: Attachment Issues, Relationship Difficulties, Interpersonal Challenges

Solution-Focused Therapy

Solution-focused therapy is a goal-oriented modality that centers on developing and implementing strategies to create positive change. It emphasizes setting specific goals and generating practical solutions, encouraging clients to envision their preferred future and work collaboratively with the therapist to achieve their goals.

A common treatment for: Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions

Strengths-Based Therapy

Strengths-based therapy identifies and builds upon a person’s strengths, skills, and resources to promote growth. A strengths-based approach shifts the focus to one of resilience and empowerment. This modality encourages clients to recognize and leverage their strengths, build self-esteem, and cultivate a positive outlook to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

A common treatment for: Anxiety, Depression, Low Self-Esteem

Relationship Therapy Modalities

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT is an evidence-based approach that improves emotional bonds and attachment within romantic relationships. EFT helps couples identify and address negative patterns of interaction that can lead to distress and disconnection, all while emphasizing the importance of creating a safe, secure, and responsive emotional connection between partners to foster relationship satisfaction and resilience.

A common treatment for: Relationship Challenges, Communication Problems, Conflict, Attachment-Related Issues

Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT)

This modality focuses on improving the quality of relationships between romantic partners. IBCT uses elements of CBT to help couples develop more effective communication skills, increase emotional intimacy, and create stronger, healthier relationships.

A common treatment for: Relationship Challenges, Communication Problems, General Relationship Conflict

The Gottman Method

The Gottman Method was developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman based on 30+ years of research and practice with couples. This modality emphasizes building healthier relationships through mutual understanding and connection, increased fondness and admiration, and improved communication. This method often incorporates specific assessments, interventions, and exercises designed to enhance couples' understanding of each other.

A common treatment for: Relationship Challenges, Communication Problems, General Relationship Conflict

Should you be deciding which modalities you need?

Licensed therapists have been trained to select modalities based on your diagnosis, treatment goals, style of learning, and timeline for care. While the therapist can use their expertise to select the right tools, it can still be helpful to have an open discussion about their preferred modalities when selecting or getting to know a new therapist.

If you’ve researched your condition and have read about a promising treatment approach, it’s appropriate to look for therapists with that specific training. For instance, if you know you want to seek treatment for trauma-related issues and are particularly interested in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, you can look for therapists who’ve been trained in EMDR. However, there are other effective modalities in treating trauma, and they may choose to combine EMDR with other modalities to help you reach your goals.

Therapy should be a collaborative process between you and your provider, so you should always feel empowered to ask about their treatment methods and any that you’re curious about.

Ready to start care with a therapist who practices evidence based therapy? Octave has over 1,000 therapists who have been carefully selected for your mental health needs.