Discover some of the most common types of therapy in the UK for men, including CBT, EMDR, person centred and more. Learn what each approach offers and how to find the right fit.
Exploring Different Types of Therapy in the UK
If you’re thinking about starting therapy, one of the first questions you might have is: What kind of therapy is right for me? With so many approaches available in the UK, it can be hard to know where to begin — especially if you’re new to counselling.
This guide introduces some of the most widely used therapy types in the UK today. These approaches may be found in private practice, NHS services, and across different support settings — including therapy for men seeking help with anxiety, depression, addiction, relationships, and more.
You don’t need to know exactly what kind of therapy you need before starting. But understanding the differences can help you feel more confident when reading a therapist’s profile or deciding who to speak to.
Please note, you can also check out Men's Counselling Service 'Therapy for Men' Video section of the website to learn more about types of therapy in the UK available for men.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts and actions impact how you feel. It teaches you skills to change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours so you can better manage emotional difficulties and improve your well-being [1]. CBT accounts for approximately 44.6% of therapies provided by NHS Talking Therapies during 2021–2022 [2].
Person-Centred Therapy
Also known as Client-Centred Therapy is a humanistic talking therapy. It operates on the core belief that individuals possess an inherent capacity for personal growth and self-understanding. Rather than directing the client, the therapist provides a supportive, non-judgmental relationship characterised by empathy (deep understanding), unconditional positive regard (non-judgmental), and congruence (genuineness). This non-directive approach aims to empower clients to explore their own experiences, foster greater self-acceptance, and move towards fulfilling their potential [3].
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences influence present behaviour. It can help you uncover unconscious patterns that may be affecting your relationships and wellbeing [4].
Integrative Therapy
Integrative brings together techniques and ideas from different therapeutic approaches to suit the individual needs of each client. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all method, integrative therapists adapt their approach based on what’s most helpful for the person they’re working with. This allows therapy to be flexible, practical, and grounded in a strong, collaborative relationship between client and therapist [5].
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy approach primarily developed to help individuals heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences, such as PTSD [5]. This process is thought to help the brain to process the unresolved memories and make them less distressing. It is now used for a range of mental health issues and represents around 9% of NHS therapy time [6].
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
SFBT is an evidence based approach that emphasises solutions. It's often short-term and goal-focused, helping you build on strengths and envision a preferred future [7].
Transactional Analysis (TA)
TA is a structured approach that blends ideas from humanistic, behavioural, and psychodynamic therapies. It explores how different parts of your personality—Parent, Adult, and Child—shape the way you interact with others. TA can help you recognise patterns of thinking and behaviour that may be holding you back, so you can make more conscious choices, improve relationships, and develop a stronger sense of self [8].
Existential Therapy
This focuses on life’s big questions—like meaning, freedom, responsibility, and the reality of death. It helps you explore how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you. Rather than offering quick fixes, this approach supports you in facing life’s challenges with honesty and courage, so you can live in a way that feels more authentic and purposeful [5].
Counselling for Depression (CfD)
CfD is a person-centred, evidence-based approach specifically designed to support people experiencing depression. It accounts for a growing percentage of therapy time within NHS Talking Therapies [9].
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT combines traditional cognitive behavioural strategies with mindfulness practices. It helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. By learning to observe experiences with curiosity and acceptance, MBCT supports people in breaking cycles of negative thinking [10].
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a structured, time-limited approach that helps you understand how relationships affect your mental health. It focuses on areas like grief, conflict, life changes, and social isolation—often linked to depression or mood difficulties. Together with your therapist, you’ll explore patterns in your relationships and develop strategies to improve communication, strengthen support, and cope with change [11].
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt helps you tune into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the present moment. By becoming more aware of how you respond to situations and relate to others, you can uncover patterns that might be holding you back. This focus on the “here and now” can open up new ways of seeing challenges and lead to meaningful change [12].
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes—like drawing, painting, or sculpting—to help you express thoughts and emotions that might be hard to put into words. It can support you in managing stress, processing experiences, and improving emotional wellbeing. You don’t need to have any artistic skill to benefit. Art therapists are trained professionals who use both psychological understanding and creative practice to support personal growth and healing [13]
Final Thought
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy. Each approach offers a different way of working — and what helps one person may not suit another. The good news is: you don’t need to get it “right” the first time. Many people explore a few different types of therapy before they find what fits.
Whether you’re looking for a structured, goal-focused approach, or something more reflective, or a creative path— there are options. There are also lots of type of therapy for men that are not included on here, we’ll keep updating this article over the months to come.
You can use Men’s Counselling Service to browse therapist profiles, explore different approaches, and filter by the things that matter most to you — from issue and modality to location or availability, even by free introductory sessions to remove the financial concern you may have before starting therapy.
