What’s with all the different therapeutic approaches?

Unique Humans Need Unique Approaches

Understanding Different Therapy Approaches

Types of Therapy & How They Work

What This Means for You

Understanding Different Therapy Approaches

At My Cheerleader, it’s less about the label of the therapy, and more about what actually helps you feel seen, heard, and understood. From there, it’s about tapping into your strengths and values, empowering you to expand your self-worth, and supporting you to achieve the changes you deserve.

With so many approaches out there, it’s no wonder people can start to feel overwhelmed — especially when you’re already dealing with something difficult. It can leave you wondering which approach is the right fit, or where to even begin. So let’s see if we can simplify it a little, to make it easier for you to decide how you might want to work on yourself.

There Are So Many Different Approaches To Therapy, And It Can Feel Like A Lot At First. You Might Hear Terms Like CBT, ACT, DBT, CPT, REBT, IFS, EMDR, EFT, Gestalt, SFBT, Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy,Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Grief And Loss Therapy, Creative Expression Therapies (like Drama, Music, Dance, Play, Sand and Art), Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, Parts Therapy, Positive Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Ericksonian, Suggestion Therapy, Regression Therapy… and the list continues....

All of these approaches have come from one simple place — a curious therapist asking, “How can we support this individual better?”. It’s the uniqueness of human beings that drives that question because no two people are the same, and what works for one person may not work in the same way, or at all, for another.

People may share similar upbringings, cultural influences, personal experiences, and challenges. We may have overlapping values, strengths, and struggles. But even then, we are still different in how we process emotions, how our brains are wired, how sensitive we are to certain experiences, and how we respond to the world around us. When you really look at it, there is no such thing as a “standard” human experience.

And because of that, therapy cannot be one-size-fits-all.

 

Types of Therapy & How They Work

The truth is, each approach within evidence-based therapy offers a different way of understanding yourself. But more importantly, it comes down to how you are able to process what is happening for you in that moment. For example, if you’re finding it hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words, it might be more helpful to express them through writing, drawing, or another creative outlet. If you’re experiencing discomfort in your body, it might mean that working with the mind–body connection is more important than simply talking things through.

So when it comes down to it, it’s not really about which therapy is the best or the most appropriate overall. It’s about what you need, in that moment, in that situation.

Sometimes you might need practical tools to manage anxiety or stress, to regain a sense of control over your thoughts, or to regulate emotions that feel overwhelming. Other times, you might feel ready to explore deeper patterns, beliefs, or past experiences that are shaping how you show up in your life now.

I love analogies and metaphors, so you’ll hear a lot of them from me.

Imagine you are a track and field athlete preparing for a competition with multiple events. You might begin with general strength-based training, working out where your limitations are across all areas, as well as within a specific event. From there, you would start to focus on what needs improvement and refine those particular skills.

Another athlete might take a completely different approach. They might focus on one specific movement or skill and repeat it consistently until it improves — like a tennis player working on their backhand. Once they have enhanced their form and that skill becomes more automatic, they can then move on to other areas, such as building core strength to maintain and improve their performance.

Both are athletes. Both are working toward improvement. But their approaches are different, because their needs are different at that particular point in time.

Therapy works in much the same way. Effectiveness isn’t about which therapy is “the best.” It’s about whether it meets you where you are and supports where you want to go. The focus is on what works for you in that moment and at that stage of your journey.

It’s also important to understand that change doesn’t always look immediate or obvious. Sometimes an approach may not seem like it is creating a shift straight away, and that can feel frustrating. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t working.

Therapy isn’t a linear, step-by-step process. Humans are not computer programs that respond in predictable, methodical interventions. Sometimes you will have a clear “aha” moment that leads to noticeable change. Other times, the shift happens more quietly — like planting a seed. It may not be visible straight away, but with the right conditions, it grows and eventually comes into full view.

Therapy isn’t a magic wand either. I’m sure everyone would love to wake up the next morning with their goals already achieved and life feeling ‘perfect’. But let’s be honest — that’s not how it works. We can’t just wish things into reality. Like anything worth achieving, it takes effort, dedication, persistence, problem-solving, time… and a whole lot more. In fact, through this process, we often achieve more than we ever expected or thought possible.

What This Means for You

At My Cheerleader, the focus stays on you. It’s about following your lead, listening deeply, and learning about where you are in the moment. In this way, the support you receive is relevant, aligned, and genuinely helpful to you and for the changes you want to create.

REMEMBER: You are an amazing human being going through a difficult time or just wanting a better life. You’re not broken, and you’re not alone.

My Cheerleader is here for you to remind you of your awesomeness, by walking alongside you and supporting your growth and positive changes.