Types of Psychotherapy: CBT, Psychodynamic, Integrative, ACT, Systemic and Sensorimotor Approaches

Let us begin with a quick orientation. You will find that psychotherapy is a field given to labels, some denoting a particular theory or technique, others the practitioner’s background. But it is more sensible to set the label aside and inquire as to what the method is for, the training that underpins it and how one goes about measuring progress.

This page is for your information. While we define the terms you are likely to encounter, do not read this as an assertion that Jonathan Haverkampf offers every approach as a specialist service.

The nomenclature can be confusing because psychotherapy is not a single trick; it is a working relationship and a conversation with structure. The model at hand may be brought to bear on trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression, grief, or questions of self-understanding and choice. In the end, when you are deciding on therapy, a plain explanation of fit is worth more than any title. For the broader view, have a look at our what is psychotherapy page; here we will make some comparisons.

Take CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), for instance. It is a practical, structured approach that looks at the links between thought, feeling, behaviour and habit, and what is sustaining a difficulty. Psychodynamic psychotherapy has a different emphasis, on the unconscious, on defences and emotional patterns, on early experience and recurring conflicts. Then there is IPT, or interpersonal psychotherapy, which is all about mood and present-day relationships in cases of grief, social isolation or life transitions. An integrative therapist does not try to force you into one framework but will work from several models as the situation demands.

There is ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – a behavioural way of proceeding that values mindfulness and psychological flexibility. Systemic psychotherapy considers the whole context of distress, including family dynamics and the systems around the person. We also include sensorimotor psychotherapy since it is sought after; it is a body-oriented means of dealing with trauma and attachment, so if that is what you are after, you should verify the training and availability before you book.

And you will hear people talk of counselling, counselling psychology or occupational therapy. In practice it is hard to put a line down between counselling and psychotherapy, even if the regulation and depth of training are not quite the same. Our guide to the psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellor makes the distinctions clear for those in Ireland. Counselling psychology stands as its own profession. Occupational therapy is something else entirely; some do work in mental health but their concern is with independence and the practical side of participation.

Quick orientation: psychotherapy is a field with its fair share of labels. Some refer to a theory or technique, while others refer to the professional background. A sensible way to start is to put the label aside and ask what the method is for, what training sits behind it, and how progress is reviewed.

This page is meant to be educational. It defines terms you are likely to come across, but it should not be read as a claim that Jonathan Haverkampf offers every approach listed here as a specialist service.

Why the labels can feel confusing

Psychotherapy is no single trick. It is a working relationship and a structured conversation. The model in use might be applied to trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression, grief, communication, relationship patterns, self-understanding, or matters of choice.

When making a decision about therapy, you will often find a clear explanation of fit more valuable than any title. For the wider picture see the what is psychotherapy page; here we make some comparisons.

Common psychotherapy approaches

CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, tends to be practical and structured. It deals with connections between thoughts, feelings, behaviour, habits, avoidance, attention, body sensations, and what keeps a difficulty going. Psychodynamic psychotherapy puts the emphasis elsewhere: unconscious meanings, defences, early experience, emotional patterns, and conflicts that keep coming up.

IPT, or interpersonal psychotherapy, is concerned with mood and current relationships, whether the issue is grief, role disputes, social isolation, or life transitions. Integrative psychotherapy is when a therapist does not try to force a person into one framework, but draws from several models in a planned fashion.

ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a behavioural route centred on values, mindfulness, acceptance, committed action, and psychological flexibility. Systemic psychotherapy takes in the wider context of distress, from family patterns and communication to the systems around the person.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy is a body-oriented way of working with trauma and attachment through movement, awareness, emotion, and cognition. It is included here because people look for it; if that modality is what you want, check on availability and training before booking.

Psychotherapy, counselling, counselling psychology and occupational therapy

You may also hear the words counselling, counselling psychology, or occupational therapy thrown around. In practice the line between counselling and psychotherapy can be hard to draw, though the regulation, depth, and training route are not always identical. The psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist and counsellor guide sets out the distinctions in an Ireland-aware way.

Counselling psychology is a profession in its own right. Occupational therapy is another matter altogether; while some occupational therapists work in mental health, their focus is on independence, participation, and practical function, not psychotherapy.

How to choose a therapy approach

A good first conversation should cover the essentials. What is the difficulty? Has anything worked in the past? Are there complicating factors such as risk, addiction, psychosis, coercive control, self-harm, or a medical issue? Is the therapist experienced in this area? How will the work stay collaborative?

Jonathan Haverkampf offers psychotherapy and counselling in Dublin and online. You will find information on CBT and interpersonal work, communication, anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, relationships, and self-understanding on the site. If you have a preference for something like systemic therapy, ACT therapy, or sensorimotor psychotherapy, say so when you get in touch.

Service information is available on psychotherapy and counselling in Dublin, with practical details on appointments, fees, and contact.

A few common questions

You will run into the same questions time and again. What is the best kind of psychotherapy? The truth is that there is no single answer that fits all. You have to look at the evidence, safety concerns, and the nature of the problem, as well as how well you get on with the therapist and their training.

Then there is the matter of integrative psychotherapy. In most cases, it is where a therapist does not stick to one model but makes coherent use of established approaches. Or take ACT, for instance: a behavioural method founded on values, acceptance, and committed action.

Is systemic therapy just another name for individual therapy? Not by any means. While a systemic way of thinking can be brought to an individual session, it is more at home in couple or family work. And do not confuse occupational therapy with psychotherapy; they are different professions in the healthcare field.

Sources and review

This material is for public information only. It does not stand in for assessment, diagnosis, crisis care, legal advice, medical advice, or individual psychotherapy. It was reviewed for source alignment on 15 May 2026.

• NHS: types of talking therapy
• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science: ACT for the public
• Association for Family Therapy: family and systemic psychotherapy
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
• Cleveland Clinic: occupational therapy

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