Different Types of counselling Explained: CBT, ACT, DBT and More

Looking for counselling can quickly become confusing. One therapist mentions CBT, another uses ACT, and someone else describes their work as person-centred or integrative.

These names describe different ways of understanding difficulties and supporting change. You do not need to learn every model before asking for help.

This guide introduces many of the main counselling and psychotherapy approaches. There are further specialist models and variations beyond this list.

Person-centred counselling

Person-centred counselling gives you space to explore your experiences with an empathic, accepting therapist. You help guide the conversation, with an emphasis on self-understanding and making your own choices.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT explores connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. You work collaboratively on patterns that are causing difficulties, often practising skills between sessions.

Depending on the concern, CBT may include behavioural experiments or carefully planned exposure to feared situations.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings while taking action guided by your values. Acceptance means making room for internal experiences; it does not mean accepting abuse or unsafe circumstances.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

DBT combines acceptance with change. It teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and relationship skills.

A comprehensive DBT programme is more structured than counselling that uses selected DBT skills. Ask which is being offered.

Mindfulness-based approaches

These approaches develop awareness of thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations in the present moment. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or MBCT, combines mindfulness practices with elements of cognitive therapy.

Mindfulness can also be one part of another counselling approach.

Solution-focused brief therapy

This approach explores your preferred future, existing strengths and times when a problem has been less disruptive. Sessions focus on achievable changes and signs of progress.

“Brief” does not mean everyone needs the same number of appointments.

Motivational interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing helps you explore mixed feelings about change and identify your own reasons for taking action. The therapist works collaboratively rather than trying to persuade or confront you.

It can be relevant when discussing changes to substance use or other health behaviours.

Narrative therapy

Narrative therapy explores the stories you hold about yourself and your experiences. It separates the person from the problem and makes room for strengths, values and experiences that a problem-focused story may overlook.

Psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis

These related approaches explore how earlier experiences, relationships and less conscious patterns may influence current feelings and behaviour.

Psychoanalysis is generally a more intensive form of this work. The structure depends on the practitioner and approach.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

IPT is a structured approach that focuses on relationships and their connection with emotional difficulties, particularly depression. It may explore grief, interpersonal conflict or changes in roles and circumstances.

Schema therapy

Schema therapy examines longstanding patterns of beliefs, emotions and coping that may be connected with earlier experiences and unmet emotional needs.

The work aims to develop healthier responses and ways of meeting those needs.

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)

CFT develops a more compassionate response to suffering, including shame and harsh self-criticism. It may involve imagery, attention training and practices that help you respond to distress with care and courage.

Emotionally focused therapy

Emotionally focused therapy explores emotions, attachment needs and patterns of interaction. In couples work, it helps partners recognise recurring cycles of disconnection and develop more responsive ways of relating.

Individual and family forms also exist.

Systemic and family therapy

Systemic approaches consider difficulties within relationships and wider contexts. They explore patterns between people, rather than locating the whole problem within one person.

Family therapy may involve several family members, although the people attending depend on the circumstances.

Trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR

Trauma-focused CBT and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR, are approaches used for post-traumatic stress disorder.

EMDR involves a structured process that includes attending to distressing memories alongside bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. These therapies require appropriate training and assessment.

Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy emphasises awareness of what is happening now, including emotions, bodily sensations and interactions. Experiential activities may help you explore how you respond to yourself, other people and your surroundings.

Existential therapy

Existential therapy explores questions about meaning, identity, responsibility, freedom and uncertainty. It offers space to consider how you want to live, particularly during loss, major transitions or changes in direction.

Creative arts therapies and play therapy

Creative arts therapies use processes such as art, music, movement or drama to support expression and exploration.

Play therapy, commonly used with children, uses play as a way of communicating and working through experiences. These are distinct practices requiring relevant training, rather than simply adding an activity to a session.

Integrative counselling

Integrative counselling brings together compatible ideas and methods from different approaches. The therapist should explain how the combination relates to your needs and goals.

Using several methods does not mean every approach is equally suitable for every concern.

What does “trauma-informed” mean?

Trauma-informed care is a way of providing support that emphasises safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment. It can guide many different therapies.

It is not, by itself, a specific treatment for processing traumatic memories.

Are couples, addiction and online counselling different styles?

These terms usually describe the people involved, the concern being addressed or how sessions are delivered.

For example, couples counselling can draw on different therapeutic models. Drug and alcohol counselling may include motivational interviewing or CBT. Online counselling describes the delivery format.

How do you choose?

A useful starting point is what you want help with and what you hope will change. Ask the therapist:

* Which approach do you recommend for my concern, and why?

* What training and experience do you have in it?

* What would sessions and between-session practice involve?

* How will we review whether the work is helping?

Your preferences, cultural background, accessibility needs and previous therapy experiences belong in this discussion. The evidence for a particular concern and the therapist’s competence matter alongside feeling heard and respected.

Counselling in Bankstown and online

Advance Minds provides counselling in Bankstown and online across Australia. You can enquire about your concerns without knowing which therapy name to choose.

Ask the team which approaches are available and who has the relevant training for your needs. This guide describes the wider therapy field; it is not a list of every modality offered by Advance Minds.

Call 0466 666 334 or book an appointment online.

General information only. The choice of therapy should follow discussion and appropriate assessment.