Guide
Types of Therapy: A Plain-Language Guide
“Therapy” isn’t one thing — it’s a family of approaches, each with a different focus. Here’s a clear look at the main types (CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, IPT, and more), what each helps with, and how therapy works alongside psychiatric care. You don’t need to pick the “right” one on your own — a clinician helps match the approach to you.
Clinically reviewed by the Lyte Psychiatry Clinical Team · Last reviewed June 2026
How to think about “which therapy”
Different therapies suit different problems and different people. Some are structured and skills-based (like CBT and DBT), some are trauma-focused (like EMDR), and some are more exploratory (like psychodynamic therapy). What matters most is a good fit — the right approach, with a clinician you trust. Often the strongest results come from combining therapy with the right medical care.
The main approaches
Common types of therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The most widely used, evidence-based talk therapy. Focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and on changing unhelpful patterns. Goal-oriented and time-limited.
Often helps with: Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
A structured form of CBT built around skills, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Especially helpful for intense emotions and self-harm urges.
Often helps with: Emotion dysregulation, self-harm, borderline personality disorder
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
A trauma-focused therapy that uses guided bilateral stimulation (often eye movements) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. One of the most-studied PTSD treatments.
Often helps with: PTSD and trauma
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Blends mindfulness with values-based action, learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to what matters to you, rather than fighting every uncomfortable experience.
Often helps with: Anxiety, depression, chronic stress
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
A brief, structured therapy that connects mood to relationships and life transitions, grief, role changes, conflicts, and works on strengthening communication and support.
Often helps with: Depression, life transitions
Psychodynamic Therapy
Explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape present feelings and relationships, building self-understanding over time. Often less structured and longer-term.
Often helps with: Depression, anxiety, relationship patterns
How therapy fits with psychiatric care
Therapy and medication aren’t either/or. For many conditions, the strongest outcomes come from combining them — therapy builds skills and insight, while medication can ease symptoms enough to make that work possible. A psychiatric evaluation can help you understand which mix fits your situation, and coordinate care so the pieces work together.
Explore next
This page is for general education and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your own clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and for a medical emergency call 911.
Not sure which approach is right? Let’s figure it out
Our Texas psychiatry team can evaluate what’s going on and help you find the right mix of therapy and care. In-person in DFW or by video statewide. Same-week appointments available.
Book an appointment