Types of Therapy A–Z: A Plain Guide to Every Approach
In short: This A–Z explains 68 types of therapy offered in the UK, across counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, arts therapies and allied health professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics. Each entry says who provides it and which register to check.
Please read. This is general information from us, not medical, clinical or professional advice. We’re a directory: we don’t provide therapy, we don’t recommend or guarantee any practitioner, and we’re not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, please use the crisis box at the bottom of this page. Services and rules change, so check the official websites linked here.
If You Feel Unsafe
If you need help now. If your life or someone else's is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help in England, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and choose the mental health option. You can talk to Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258. NHS: where to get urgent help for mental health.
How to Choose
Therapy covers many professions, not only talking therapy. Start with what you want help with, then look at which professions and approaches fit. Our guides to types of therapist and how to choose can help. Whatever the approach, check the practitioner is on the right register before you book; see how to check a register. A good fit with the person often matters as much as the method. If you are unsure, a GP can tell you about NHS options.
Types of Therapy A–Z
A
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
A talking therapy that helps you make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while acting on what matters to you.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC), some BABCP-accredited therapists.
Art therapy and art psychotherapy
Uses art-making with a trained therapist to explore feelings that can be hard to put into words. No art skill is needed.
Who provides it: Art therapists, a protected title on the HCPC register; many are also BAAT members.
B
Behavioural activation
A structured talking approach for low mood that helps you plan and build back activities that matter to you.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), CBT therapists (BABCP) and some counsellors.
Body-oriented (somatic) therapy
Talking therapy that also pays attention to body sensations, breathing and movement.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC); check the practitioner's own registration.
C
Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
Exercise and education programmes after heart or lung problems, often run by the NHS.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC), with nurses and other health professionals.
CBT for eating disorders (CBT-E)
An adapted form of CBT for eating disorders, often alongside dietetic and medical care.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC) and BABCP-accredited therapists, working with dietitians.
CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)
A short structured programme to change sleep habits and worries about sleep.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), BABCP-accredited therapists and some other trained practitioners.
Child and adolescent psychotherapy
Psychotherapy for babies, children and teenagers, often using play and talk, with support for parents.
Who provides it: Child and adolescent psychotherapists, registered with the ACP.
Clinical psychology
Assessment and psychological therapy for a wide range of mental and physical health difficulties.
Who provides it: Clinical psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Coaching
Goal-focused conversations about work or life. Coaching is not therapy and is not a regulated health profession.
Who provides it: No statutory register. Some therapists also coach; check their therapy registration separately.
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
A time-limited therapy that maps repeating patterns in relationships and how they began.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), psychotherapists on the ACAT or UKCP registers, and some counsellors.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
A structured talking therapy looking at links between thoughts, feelings and actions, with practical steps between sessions.
Who provides it: CBT therapists accredited by BABCP, psychologists (HCPC), and some counsellors.
Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)
Helps people who are very self-critical or ashamed to build a kinder inner voice.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Counselling
Talking with a trained counsellor about what is troubling you, at your own pace.
Who provides it: Counsellors on a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC. Counsellor is not a protected title, so check the register.
Counselling psychology
Psychological therapy that draws on several approaches and on the relationship with the client.
Who provides it: Counselling psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Couples therapy
Helps partners understand patterns, communicate and decide what they want together.
Who provides it: Counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC), including COSRT members for sex and relationship therapy.
D
Dance movement psychotherapy
Uses movement and dance with a trained therapist to explore feelings and connection between body and mind.
Who provides it: Dance movement psychotherapists, registered with ADMP UK (an accredited register via UKCP).
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
Skills-based therapy for very intense emotions, often with group skills sessions as well as one-to-one work.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), and counsellors or psychotherapists trained in DBT (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Dietetics
Assessment and advice on food and nutrition for health conditions, from IBS to diabetes and eating difficulties.
Who provides it: Dietitians, a protected title on the HCPC register. 'Nutritionist' is not protected.
Dramatherapy
Uses drama, role play, story and voice to explore feelings and experiences safely.
Who provides it: Dramatherapists, a protected title on the HCPC register; many are BADth members.
Dysphagia (swallowing) therapy
Assessment and help for problems with eating, drinking and swallowing.
Who provides it: Speech and language therapists (HCPC).
E
Educational psychology
Assessment and support for children's learning, development and wellbeing, often through schools.
Who provides it: Educational psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing)
A structured therapy for distressing memories, using eye movements or tapping while recalling them.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC) with EMDR training; many are EMDR UK accredited.
Existential therapy
Explores big questions such as meaning, choice, freedom and loss.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
F
Family and systemic therapy
Works with families or close networks to understand patterns and support each other.
Who provides it: Family and systemic psychotherapists on the UKCP register via AFT.
Forensic psychology
Psychology applied to the justice system, such as assessment and rehabilitation work.
Who provides it: Forensic psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
G
Gestalt therapy
Focuses on what you notice in the here and now, including feelings, body and relationships.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Group therapy
Therapy in a small group with one or two therapists, learning from others with shared experiences.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists and arts therapists; check each facilitator's register.
H
Hand therapy
Rehabilitation after hand, wrist or arm injuries and surgery, including splints and exercises.
Who provides it: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists (HCPC) with hand therapy training.
Health psychology
Helps people manage long-term conditions, health behaviours and the emotional side of illness.
Who provides it: Health psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Humanistic therapy
A family of approaches that trust a person's capacity to grow, focusing on experience and relationship.
Who provides it: Counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Hypnotherapy
Uses relaxation and focused attention alongside suggestion. Hypnotherapist is not a protected title and is not regulated by the HCPC.
Who provides it: Some hypnotherapists are on voluntary registers such as the CNHC. Check training and registration carefully.
I
Integrative therapy
Brings together ideas from several approaches, fitted to the person.
Who provides it: Counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
A time-limited therapy for depression focusing on relationships, role changes, grief and conflict.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC) and IPT-trained therapists; check their core registration.
M
Mentalisation-based treatment (MBT)
Helps people understand their own and others' thoughts and feelings, often in group and individual sessions.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC) and NHS teams.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
A group course combining mindfulness practice with CBT ideas, often to help prevent depression coming back.
Who provides it: Trained teachers who are often psychologists, counsellors or psychotherapists; check their registration.
Motivational interviewing
A conversational approach that helps people explore mixed feelings about change, such as drinking or smoking.
Who provides it: Used by many registered professionals, including psychologists, counsellors and nurses.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy
Assessment, exercise and advice for back, neck, joint and muscle problems.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Music therapy
Uses live music-making and listening with a therapist to support communication, wellbeing and connection.
Who provides it: Music therapists, a protected title on the HCPC register; many are BAMT members.
N
Narrative therapy
Helps you see your life story in new ways and separate yourself from the problem.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists, family therapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Neurological physiotherapy
Rehabilitation of movement and balance after stroke, MS, Parkinson's, brain or spinal injury.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) with neurological experience.
Neuropsychology
Assessment and rehabilitation of thinking, memory and behaviour after brain injury or neurological illness.
Who provides it: Clinical neuropsychologists: HCPC-registered psychologists, often on the BPS specialist register.
O
Occupational therapy
Helps people do the everyday things that matter, such as self-care, work and leisure, after illness, injury or with a disability.
Who provides it: Occupational therapists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Orthoptics
Assessment and treatment of eye movement and binocular vision problems, such as squint, often in children.
Who provides it: Orthoptists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
P
Paediatric occupational therapy
Helps children with play, self-care, handwriting, coordination and sensory needs.
Who provides it: Occupational therapists (HCPC) working with children.
Paediatric physiotherapy
Helps babies and children with movement, development and physical conditions.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) working with children.
Pain management and pacing
Practical ways to live well with long-term pain or fatigue, such as pacing, movement and coping skills.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychologists (HCPC).
Pelvic health physiotherapy
Help with bladder, bowel and pelvic floor problems, and pregnancy-related pain.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) with pelvic health training.
Person-centred therapy
Offers warmth, empathy and acceptance so you can find your own way forward.
Who provides it: Counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Play therapy
Helps children express and work through feelings through play, with a trained therapist.
Who provides it: Play therapists on accredited registers such as BAPT or PTUK, or HCPC arts therapists.
Pluralistic therapy
Therapist and client decide together which methods suit the client best.
Who provides it: Counsellors and psychotherapists (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC).
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Open-ended, often long-term therapy exploring the unconscious and early relationships.
Who provides it: Psychoanalytic psychotherapists and psychoanalysts, mainly on the BPC or UKCP registers.
Psychodynamic therapy
Explores how past experiences and hidden feelings shape the present, including in the therapy relationship.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC), especially BPC and UKCP.
Psychosexual and relationship therapy
Help with sexual difficulties and relationship problems for individuals and couples.
Who provides it: Psychosexual therapists, often COSRT accredited, and other counsellors and psychotherapists.
R
Respiratory physiotherapy
Help with breathing, clearing the chest and getting active with lung conditions.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) with respiratory experience.
S
Schema therapy
Works with deep-rooted life patterns that began in childhood, combining CBT, attachment and experiential ideas.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC), psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC) with schema training.
Sensory integration therapy
Play-based activities that help children and adults process sensory information such as touch, sound and movement.
Who provides it: Occupational therapists (HCPC) with sensory integration training.
Solution-focused brief therapy
A short, practical therapy focusing on what you want and what already works.
Who provides it: Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists; check their register.
Speech and language therapy
Help with speech, language, communication, voice and swallowing, for children and adults.
Who provides it: Speech and language therapists, a protected title on the HCPC register; many are RCSLT members.
Sport and exercise psychology
Helps athletes and active people with performance, motivation, injury and wellbeing.
Who provides it: Sport and exercise psychologists, a protected title on the HCPC register.
Sports physiotherapy
Assessment and rehabilitation of sports injuries and a safe return to activity.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) with sports experience.
Stammering therapy
Support for people who stammer to communicate with more ease and confidence.
Who provides it: Speech and language therapists (HCPC).
T
Transactional analysis (TA)
Looks at how we relate to others, using ideas such as Parent, Adult and Child ego states.
Who provides it: Psychotherapists and counsellors (a PSA-accredited register such as BACP, UKCP, NCPS or BPC), often UKATA members.
Trauma-focused CBT
A form of CBT that helps people process traumatic memories and reduce fear and avoidance.
Who provides it: Psychologists (HCPC) and BABCP-accredited therapists.
V
Vestibular rehabilitation
Exercises to reduce dizziness and improve balance after inner ear problems.
Who provides it: Physiotherapists (HCPC) with vestibular training.
Vocational rehabilitation
Support to stay in or return to work after illness or injury.
Who provides it: Occupational therapists (HCPC), and some physiotherapists and psychologists.
Voice therapy
Help with hoarseness and voice problems, including for people who use their voice at work.
Who provides it: Speech and language therapists (HCPC).
Common Questions
What is the difference between a type of therapy and a type of therapist?
A type of therapy is the method used, such as CBT or music therapy. A type of therapist is the profession, such as counsellor, psychologist or physiotherapist. Many practitioners use more than one approach.
Which type of therapy is best?
No single approach suits everyone. A good fit with the practitioner, a clear plan and a registered professional matter a lot. A GP can also advise on NHS options.
How do I check a therapist is registered?
Look them up on the official register for their profession, such as the HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, BPC or NCPS. Therapist Circle shows each member's register and number.
Is hypnotherapy or coaching regulated?
No. Hypnotherapist and coach are not protected titles. Some practitioners join voluntary registers, so check training and registration carefully.
Does the NHS offer these therapies?
Many are available on the NHS, depending on where you live and what you need. Ask your GP, or self-refer where your local service allows.
Last updated 4 November 2026. General information only, not medical advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body.