Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy — usually just called therapy or talking therapy — treats mental health problems through a series of sessions with a trained professional, often weekly and about an hour long. It is not simply advice or a chat with a friend: it follows a method, works towards agreed goals and often involves practice between sessions.

There are many types. Cognitive behavioural therapyCognitive behavioural therapyA structured, time-limited talking therapy that helps you notice and change the thoughts and behaviours that keep a problem going. It is a first-line treatment for depression and most anxiety problems.Read the full definition is the most studied; others include interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, DBTDialectical behaviour therapyA therapy for people whose emotions are very intense and hard to manage. It teaches practical skills for handling distress and relationships, and is best known for borderline personality disorder and self-harm.Read the full definition, EMDREMDREye movement desensitisation and reprocessing: a structured trauma therapy in which you recall distressing memories while doing side-to-side eye movements, so the memories become less intense.Read the full definition, counsellingCounsellingA talking therapy in which a trained counsellor listens without judgement and helps you work through a difficulty and find your own solutions. It suits life problems more than severe mental illness.Read the full definition and couples or family therapy. Sessions can be one-to-one or in a group, in person or online.

For less severe depressionDepressionA medical condition in which low mood or loss of interest lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and affects sleep, energy and daily life.Read the full definition, NICE recommends a talking therapy as a first treatment. For more severe illness, therapy combined with medicine is usually advised. Types of talking therapy compares the options.