Therapy Modalities
Types of Therapy
There are dozens of psychotherapy modalities, but most clinicians draw from a smaller set of well-validated approaches. Knowing the difference helps you ask the right questions when you're choosing a therapist.
Written by Angel Rivera, MD , Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Clinically reviewed by Angel Rivera, MD , Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Last updated 2026-05-03
The main modalities you'll encounter
These are the approaches most ThriveTalk clinicians use:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — short-term, structured, focused on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Strong evidence for depression, anxiety, OCD, insomnia.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — a CBT variant adding mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion-regulation skills. Strong evidence for borderline personality disorder, self-harm, intense emotional dysregulation.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — teaches psychological flexibility: notice difficult experiences, then act on what matters anyway.
- Psychodynamic therapy — explores how early experiences and unconscious patterns shape current relationships and feelings.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) — a structured trauma therapy with strong evidence for PTSD.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) — works with different "parts" of the self, especially useful for trauma and self-criticism.
- [Gestalt therapy](/gestalt-therapy) — a humanistic, experiential approach focused on present-moment awareness and how you make contact with yourself, others, and your environment.
- Couples-specific approaches — Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method.
How to choose
The strongest predictor of therapy outcomes is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist — not the modality. Pick a clinician trained in an evidence-based approach for your concern, then trust your sense of fit. ThriveTalk matches you to a clinician based on both.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a licensed clinician for questions about your mental health. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).