Therapy specialties encompass distinct areas of mental health expertise, from addiction and relationship counseling to anxiety and depression treatment, with licensed therapists using evidence-based techniques like CBT, DBT, and interpersonal therapy to provide targeted care for specific mental health concerns.
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Therapy Specialties And Techniques: Finding The Right Mental Health Therapist
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention substance use-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Support is available 24/7.
Opening up to a therapist can be a difficult and vulnerable experience, but knowing that your provider has specialized expertise may make the process easier. There are numerous types of therapists, each relying on various techniques to treat their clients. Understanding what types of therapy are available, as well as the difference between specialties and modalities, can help you choose a therapist who meets your needs.
Therapy specialties vs. therapy modalities
Therapy specialties and modalities may seem interchangeable, but the two concepts have several key differences. A therapy specialty refers to a particular therapist’s career focus, which is often shaped by their training and educational background. A modality refers to a therapist’s approach to treating clients. For example, a therapist may specialize in anxiety disorders, while the modality they use could be cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Common therapy specialties and their techniques
Licensed Clinical Social Workers specializing in addiction
Licensed clinical social workers specializing in substance use disorder treatment utilize evidence-based approaches to help individuals overcome addiction. Although these professionals share many qualities with other therapy specialties in terms of education and qualifications, their expertise typically lies in treating substance use disorders.
These specialists may use specific therapeutic interventions or modalities proven effective in treating substance use disorders. For example, a 12-step program may be used as a treatment technique, as well as the “recovery ladder” technique, which is based on the main principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Relationship therapists
As the name suggests, relationship therapists specialize in helping couples work through problems in their relationships. Also referred to as couples therapists or marriage counselors, these professionals help couples address relationship challenges relating to communication, conflict, and intimacy during their therapy sessions. Relationship therapists are trained not only to help individuals but also to apply specific techniques to help those in a relationship. They may also have specialized clinical training in affairs and infidelity, premarital counseling, and polyamorous relationships.
A wide variety of evidence-based techniques are commonly used in relationship therapy including the Gottman Method, emotion-focused therapy, CBT, narrative therapy, and imago relationship therapy.
Family therapists
Family therapists are mental health professionals who assist families in working through challenges relating to communication, empathy, and familial roles. Like relationship therapists, family therapists are trained in individual therapy, but their expertise typically lies in family dynamics. Families may seek therapy when coping with grief from losing a loved one, dealing with substance use issues, or navigating the aftermath of infidelity. These situations, among many others, can be addressed and improved with the help of a licensed clinical social worker.
Some techniques commonly used in family therapy include structural therapy, narrative therapy, and strategic family therapy. While each modality takes a different approach, they share the same goal of improving the functioning of the family unit.
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists
Being part of a marginalized community means a person’s lived experience may involve unique challenges and circumstances. It’s important that these individuals can access therapy that recognizes the context of their lived experiences.
For people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, finding a therapist with a focus on affirming LGBTQIA+ identities may be a validating and beneficial choice. This can be especially true considering that 30%-60% of people who identify as queer experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which may be higher than the rates among heterosexual and cisgender individuals.
The modalities used by LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists vary and depend on the specific challenges the individual is facing. Therapists who specialize in LGBTQIA+ care may be particularly beneficial for people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity, or those who are experiencing gender dysphoria.
Eating disorder specialists
Though most licensed clinical social workers are trained to recognize eating disorders, not all have the experience or skill set needed to effectively treat these conditions. This is where seeing an eating disorder specialist can be helpful. These mental health professionals may have specialized training and certifications that allow them to understand and more effectively treat eating disorders.
Eating disorder treatment modalities vary, but some common examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive remediation therapy.
Culturally informed therapists
In an ideal world, all therapists and social workers would be sensitive and informed about how an individual’s cultural background can shape their life and impact their mental health. While not all therapists may be culturally competent, many at ReachLink are working toward providing mental health assistance while considering a person’s race, ethnicity, cultural background, and gender. Connecting with a culturally sensitive therapist can be particularly beneficial for individuals who aren’t part of the dominant culture, potentially helping them feel more seen and understood.
Culturally informed therapists may utilize any modality that they believe could be beneficial to the person they’re working with, while maintaining awareness of cultural context.
Depression specialists
Research from 2020 shows that 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults in the U.S. have experienced depression. This study indicates the dire need for mental health professionals who are well-versed in depression and other depressive disorders. While many licensed clinical social workers are qualified to treat depression, visiting a therapist who specializes in depression can lead to more positive recovery outcomes. People who receive effective therapy for depression may experience improvements in their mood, relationships, energy levels, and symptoms.