therapiespsychological

Therapiespsychological, commonly called psychological therapies or psychotherapy, covers treatments for mental health conditions delivered through therapist–client interaction. The aim is to reduce distress and improve coping by addressing thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationship patterns. Trained clinicians such as psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers provide these therapies in individual, group, couple, or family formats, with some delivered online or via teletherapy.

Common modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets maladaptive beliefs and behaviors; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); psychodynamic and interpersonal approaches; and humanistic therapies such as person-centered therapy. Specialized forms exist, including EMDR for trauma. Therapies are often manualized for research, but practitioners tailor them to the individual.

Psychological therapies are effective for many conditions, especially anxiety and mood disorders, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and some substance-use problems. CBT has robust evidence across many disorders; other therapies show benefit for specific conditions. They may be used alone or with medications, and outcomes are tracked with standardized scales and clinical assessment.

Delivery varies from in-person to online and can range from a few to many months, with individual, group, or family formats. Access depends on provider availability, cost, cultural relevance, and language. Ethical practice requires informed consent, confidentiality, safety planning for suicidality, and adherence to guidelines and privacy laws.

Limitations include variable response, unequal access, and the need for ongoing research to identify best practices for diverse populations. See also psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, evidence-based practice.