When exploring mental health support, you may hear terms like “types of therapy” and “approaches in counseling.” While they sound similar, they are not the same. Understanding the difference can help you better navigate your options when choosing a counselor or learning about psychotherapy.
What is a counseling approach?
An approach in counseling is a broad framework or philosophy that guides how a therapist understands people and their problems. It provides the foundation for how the therapist views human behavior, change, healing, and the goals of therapy. Approaches help shape the relationship between the counselor and client, how sessions are structured, and what methods are used.
Some well-known counseling approaches include:
Humanistic approach – Emphasizes personal growth, self-awareness, and the belief that people are naturally good.
Psychodynamic approach – Focuses on unconscious thoughts and early life experiences.
Cognitive-behavioral approach – Highlights how thoughts and behaviors affect emotions and well-being.
Experiential approach – Encourages emotional expression and present-moment awareness.
Postmodern approach – Views truth as subjective and focuses on client strengths and collaboration.
These approaches are like the overall lens through which a counselor views the therapy process.
What is a type of therapy?
A type of therapy is a specific method or form of treatment that fits under one or more counseling approaches. It includes the actual tools, techniques, and processes used during therapy sessions. Types of therapy are more detailed and structured compared to general approaches.
Examples of types of therapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – A structured, short-term type of therapy under the cognitive-behavioral approach that helps people change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Person-Centered Therapy – A type of humanistic therapy focused on empathy, acceptance, and unconditional positive regard.
Gestalt Therapy – An experiential therapy that uses creative techniques to explore emotions and awareness.
Psychodrama – A type of therapy where clients act out past or present situations to gain insight.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) – A postmodern therapy that helps clients build solutions instead of focusing on problems.
Each type of therapy has its own structure, techniques, and goals, even if they come from the same approach.
How they work together?
You can think of it like this: an approach is the philosophy, and a type of therapy is the method used within that philosophy.
For example:
The humanistic approach values empathy, acceptance, and personal growth.
Under this approach, you’ll find Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Existential Therapy as different types.
The cognitive-behavioral approach focuses on thoughts and behaviors.
Under this, you’ll find CBT, DBT, and REBT as different therapy types.
A counselor may follow one approach but use several types of therapy depending on the client’s needs.
Why the difference matters?
Knowing the difference between an approach and a type of therapy can help you:
Ask better questions when choosing a therapist.
Understand how therapy works and what to expect.
Match your preferences with the right counseling style. For example, if you prefer a practical, goal-focused experience, you might choose a cognitive-behavioral approach using CBT. If you value emotional exploration, you might prefer an experiential approach using Gestalt Therapy.
Conclusion
In summary, counseling approaches provide the foundation or philosophy behind therapy, while types of therapy are the specific methods used within those approaches. Think of approaches as the big picture and types of therapy as the detailed tools. Both play an important role in shaping your therapy experience. Understanding this difference can help you make more informed decisions on your journey toward emotional wellness.