How to free oneself from addiction? There are many types of therapy and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Today I want to share a few words about how to choose the type of therapy that suits your problem and personality best.

Research shows that different methods of therapy have similar effectiveness – the most important factors are non-specific ones, such as the relationship with a therapist or, for example, the extent to which a given method suits us. That is why it is so important that we find someone with whom we can establish a relationship based on deep trust and choose the right method for our needs.

Perhaps at some stage of your journey you have come to the conclusion that you want to seek the help of a professional in order to speed up your healing process. This is one of the best decisions you can make. The purpose of this post is to familiarize you with different therapeutic methods and to make a conscious choice easier. Remember that you always have the right to ask the therapist what kind of paradigm he or she works in. The most popular paradigms are: psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic and integrative. Each paradigm constitutes a slightly different way of looking at the world and people – has its own distinct methods, terminology and goals. Does it mean that we have more than one human psychology? It is a difficult question – some would answer that there is as much psychologies as there are people, others would say that there is one human nature, and we have different pieces of the puzzle which gradually come together.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

The goal is to examine the unconscious. The unconscious governs our lives and communicates with consciousness by means of symbols. So we examine these symbols – we study dreams, associations, fairy tales. We observe the past and how our mental life was shaped at different stages of development. The realization of what was previously unconscious is intended to bring about profound changes in our personality and functioning.

Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy

In this one we work mainly with our ways of thinking and acting. We observe our mental, emotional and behavioural habits. We often get homework that we work on. We do not focus on our history more than it is necessary to create a clear picture of the rewards and penalties distribution, as well as the habit loops of the person undergoing the treatment.

Humanistic psychotherapy

A man strives for self-realisation. What does it mean? That we have some potential which, for some reason, we may not be realising. Perhaps because we have not met our more basic needs? Self-development is carried out through insights into one’s own nature and overcoming limitations resulting from the past. In this paradigm, the therapist can share his or her experience, hug, show “a more human face”.

Systemic psychotherapy

A man functions within a certain system of mutual dependencies. We have some schematic relationships with our loved ones that create health or pathology. In order to regain health, it is not enough to work just with an individual, but with the entire family system, so that it does not repeat the same situations.

Integrative psychotherapy

The therapist uses cognitive-behavioural and humanistic methods, as well as systemic and psychodynamic ones. He or she focuses on the therapeutic relationship and adapts the methods to the needs of the patient.

I hope it will make the choice easier for you!