Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common form of treatment that centers around investigating the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that a person’s mood is directly related to his or her thought patterns and is intended to help clients to recognize negative or inaccurate thoughts and replace them with healthier, more productive ways of thinking. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used in the treatment of many mental disorders (including anxiety and depression), but can also be helpful for anyone who would benefit from learning how to manage life’s stressful situations in healthier ways.

Humanistic 

Humanistic therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on encouraging a client’s self-awareness and mindfulness. Humanistic therapy is founded on the beliefs that people are inherently good and are more than the sum of their parts. Sessions generally have an optimistic tone and are non-judgmental. Humanistic therapists will urge clients to look inward and move towards personal growth and self-actualization.

Mindfulness-based

Mindfulness-based therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on, as the name suggests, the cultivation of mindfulness. There are a number of different therapeutic practices that fall under the category of mindfulness-based (or use components of mindfulness), including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Hakomi, among others. Mindfulness-based therapy is generally designed to help a client’s attention focus on the present moment and research has found it to be effective for many conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress and chronic pain.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a goal-oriented therapeutic practice that focuses on a non-judgmental, non-confrontational client-centered approach. Focused on strengthening a client’s motivation to make positive changes, motivational interviewing encourages self-exploration and emphasizes autonomy. Motivational Interviewing generally takes the form of a collaborative, supportive conversation between the client and the therapist, concentrated on empowerment and the exploration and resolution of ambivalence that impedes change. A therapist who practices motivational interviewing can help you to identify and overcome inconsistencies between your behavior and your goals, and guide you through the steps needed to get you where you want to be.

Narrative 

Narrative therapy is founded on the belief that our identities are shaped by the personal accounts of our lives, found in the stories we tell. In narrative therapy, the conversations between client and therapist are respectful, non-judgmental and interactive. A narrative therapist will help the client to act as an investigator, asking probing questions to help the client explore and assess their relationship to a problem and identify opportunities for positive change.

Relational 

Relational therapy is more of a general approach, rather than a specific therapeutic method. A therapist who takes a relational approach in their therapeutic practice highlights the importance of the way a client relates to others. Many people find themselves in therapy due, in some part, to the status of their relationships and relational therapy seeks to help the client understand that the way they interact with others can be a central motivation. Ultimately, a relational approach can help a client to create and maintain healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapeutic practice that encourages clients to identify what values are personally important and to take action on those values. ACT encourages clients to accept and embrace what is out of their personal control, while developing a flexibility to alter the things they can. ACT generally applies six core principles (cognitive defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, observing the self, values, and committed action). Therapists practicing ACT help clients to commit to goals based on their personal values with the ultimate goal of bringing more meaning to life.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory was first developed by psychologist John Bowlby and focuses on the importance of early emotional bonds. Attachment theory investigates the nature of a person’s initial relationship with their primary caregiver (such as a parent) and how it influences their social and emotional development. Therapists using attachment theory can help a client to identify their individual attachment style. Attachment styles influence how individuals relate to each other in intimate relationships. Knowing your attachment style can be a powerful tool in understanding your strengths and weaknesses in a relationship.

(Portland Therapy Center, 2021)