Types of Individual Therapy...Which Approach Might Fit You Best?

Quick answer: Types of Individual Therapy...Which Approach Might Fit You Best? If you’re wondering about the different types of individual therapy, there are many approaches to individual therapy, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, narrative, feminist therapies, and many more. Each one has its own focus—whether it’s challenging unhelpful thoughts, exploring the past, highlighting personal growth, or reshaping the stories you carry.The most important factor is not which type is “best,” but which feels most supportive and aligned with your needs, values, and hopes for therapy.

When people start therapy, they’re often surprised by just how many approaches there are. Searching “types of individual therapy” can feel overwhelming, as if you need to pick the “right” method before you even begin. From my perspective, therapy is not about fitting yourself into a rigid model—it’s about finding a space where your story is heard, respected, and gently expanded. Different types of therapy simply offer different lenses through which to make sense of your life, and sometimes combining them can be the most powerful way forward.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely known forms of therapy. Its focus is on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. If you often notice yourself stuck in cycles of negative thinking or habits that don’t serve you, CBT can be useful in helping you recognize and challenge these patterns. For example, instead of automatically believing “I always fail,” CBT might encourage you to pause and examine the evidence, opening up space for new, more supportive beliefs.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Rooted in the idea that our past influences our present, psychodynamic therapy invites us to look at early relationships, unconscious beliefs, and recurring patterns. This approach can help if you’ve noticed yourself drawn into similar dynamics in work, friendships, or romantic relationships. By making sense of what’s been shaping your choices, you gain the freedom to write a new chapter.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy focuses on growth, potential, and authenticity. In this approach, the relationship with your therapist is central, providing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and encouragement as you step into your own sense of meaning and possibility. I appreciate this approach very much and focus on the therapeutic relationship with my clients as a way to explore ways of relating that they prefer.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy, which is at the heart of my work, treats problems as separate from people. It begins with the belief that you are not the problem—the problem is the problem. Together, we explore the stories that have been shaping your identity: How did this story get constructed over time? How has it influenced your choices? What alternative stories might you want to live by? Narrative therapy helps people reclaim their own authorship and discover new ways of being in the world that align with their hopes.

Feminist Therapy

Feminist therapy is also at the heart of my work and looks at how power, culture, and gender roles influence well-being. It’s not just about individual struggles, but about how societal messages (for example, “be selfless,” “don’t take up too much space,” “be confident) shape how you see yourself. This approach validates the real impact of oppression, while also highlighting your strengths and agency in navigating those pressures. It’s collaborative, relational, and deeply respectful of your lived experience.

Blended and Integrative Approaches

Many therapists blend types of individual therapy rather than using just one. For instance, a session with me might involve narrative conversations to explore old stories and feminist reflections on how cultural messages have shaped your identity. This flexibility ensures that therapy adapts to you, not the other way around.

How to Choose the Right Type of Individual Therapy

When people ask me which type of therapy they “should” choose, I often remind them that the most important factor is the relationship with the therapist. Research consistently shows that connection, trust, and collaboration are what make the biggest difference. The approach is important, yes—but what matters most is whether you feel safe, heard, and respected in the room.

The different types of individual therapy are not about competing methods, but about offering a variety of doorways into healing. The best doorway is the one that feels open and inviting to you—the one that helps you feel like yourself again, or perhaps even more yourself than you’ve ever felt before.

If you’re curious about which approach might fit you best, I’d love to talk. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we could work together.

👉 Learn more about therapy Costa Mesa and how it can support your relationship.

Get in touch:

 📞 ‪(657) 339-2672‬

 📧 ksuzanwilson@gmail.com