Understanding the Different Approaches to Therapy Used by Psychotherapists and Counsellors
By Arijana Palme, BSW, RSW
Client Coordinator
Registered Social Worker
Anti-oppressive, feminist, collaborative and so much more. There are some common terms that therapists use to describe their approaches to working with you (the client).
We’ve already covered the different types of therapies you might encounter in our blog titled “Understanding the Different Types of Therapy”, now it’s time to define these approaches and how they could affect your therapy journey.
Approaches
Anti-oppressive - an approach that highlights and stresses the relevance that issues of power, privilege and oppression have on a person’s life. This approach is very non-pathologizing because it draws attention away from any personal failings and focuses on the ways a person’s choices and reality are shaped by their intersectional location.
Client-Centred - this approach attempts to level the perceived power differential between client and therapist. Instead of the therapist being the expert, client and therapist are equally involved in the therapeutic process and the therapist takes a non-directive approach - advice and solutions are kept to an absolute minimum in this style of therapy.
Collaborative - Based on the key principles of collaboration, accountability, integrity and respect, this approach is meant to empower individuals to jointly make goals with the therapist and gather resources in a way that supports their own progress.
Feminist - an approach that focuses on gender and how one’s experiences of living in a world that focuses on gender binaries, gender stereotypes, gender-specific stressors and biases can affect mental health.
Harm reduction - this approach is most often associated with addictions or any substance-use issues. It strives to humanize and de-stigmatize substance use rather than penalize or blame folks for these issues.
Holistic - with this approach, the therapist addresses the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of a person as opposed to a narrow view of the issue. With an integrated or holistic approach the client is encouraged to get a deeper understanding of how their body, mind, spirit as well as relationships and community all play a role in their mental health.
Strengths-Based - in this approach, the therapist focuses on the client’s resources, resilience and positive qualities as a way of drawing the client’s attention to the ways in which they are already capable of change.
Trauma-informed - in this approach the therapist attunes to each client’s experience of trauma in their lives and takes care not to inadvertently trigger or retraumatize the person while trying to process the traumatic event(s). This is not a specific type of therapy but a philosophy of relating to the client and their experiences.
Looking for some support?
If you’re thinking about therapy, then you’re already taking a step towards a vision of improved personal well being. Maybe now is the time, or a seed has been planted for the future. Either way, we’ll be here to support you when you’re ready - because you matter.
When you’re ready, we can help.
Book a free 30 minute consultation and let’s talk about it.