Psychotherapies for anxiety
There are a number of different therapies available
Therapy has a great track record in helping people manage their anxiety. Therapy is delivered by a qualified and registered psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or counsellor. There are a number of different types of therapy available for you to consider and discuss with others. Seek out expert advice.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Sometimes called talking therapy
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The therapist and client work together collaboratively to understand the problem and develop a strategy
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The focus is the present, with less emphasis placed on delving into the past
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The goal is to explore unhelpful thinking styles/behaviours and make efforts to change them
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You are encouraged to become your own therapist through self help applying a range of learned coping and problem-solving skills. The aim is to make you more resourceful and more effective in managing your life
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Commonly used for anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, family and marital issues
Cognitive Processing Therapy
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CPT is a specific variation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is often used to address trauma and PTSD
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Here you are encouraged to challenge and moderate unhelpful beliefs related to a trauma event, in order to gain a healthier perspective
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You learn to process the trauma using new skills that will help you question and modify your thinking. and emotional response
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CPT is usually run over a fixed course of 12 sessions
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
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DBT is a further variation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is typically used when people are experiencing intense emotions
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DBT helps clients to recognise and moderate their unhelpful thought processes while accepting who they are
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You learn to regulate your emotions and develop greater tolerance of distress
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Typically offered for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction
Exposure Therapy
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Exposure therapy exposes the client to the situation or object of their fear
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Through careful repeated exposure, the client gains greater control and confidence
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In this way exposure therapy can break a pattern of avoidance and fear
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You learn to attach new, more realistic beliefs about feared objects, activities or situations
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Commonly used to treat Phobias, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Exposure therapy is sometimes combined with CBT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) adopts a mindfulness approach helping clients embrace their emotions and issues
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The aim is to help the client recognise that their current pattern of thinking may be damaging to them
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The therapist encourages the client to accept their feelings and experiences, and then shift their perspective to something they value more and are willing to strive for
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The client develops a long term goal and vision for the future based on what is important to them
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Beneficial for anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders and addiction
Interpersonal Therapy
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Interpersonal therapy (IP) focuses on social relationships and interpersonal issues
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The client with help from the therapist explores their relationships, examining identifiable conflicts and issues
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The goal is to better understand the issues, learn how to make adjustments and apply them
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The client will learn how to recognise and manage their emotions
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Used to address depression and anxiety disorders related to people, for example Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic Therapy
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These related therapies seek to bring about deep-rooted change
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They explore how your unconscious thoughts formed in early life might affect your current behaviours and thinking
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You are encouraged to increase your awareness of your inner self by examining your thoughts, fears, and desires
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Usually this form of therapy is a deeply intensive process
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Has been found effective for anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders and addiction
Behavioural Modification Therapy
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Behavioural modification therapy is closely related to CBT
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It seeks to change someone's behaviour by applying a range of motivational techniques
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The first step is to pinpoint the behaviours requiring change
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The therapy uses positive and negative reinforcement to shift these behaviours
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Over time this therapy aims to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones
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Beneficial for anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD and addiction
Solution-Focused Therapy
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Solution-focused therapy seeks to build a solution rather than solve a problem
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This therapy is less interested in the past and more interested in the present and future
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The therapist will draw on your own strengths, abilities and future hopes
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You will be encouraged to build a vision of the future and forge realistic goals
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A humanistic therapy that encourages self-development, personal growth and accountability
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Beneficial for a range of anxiety disorders, eating disorders and addiction