Common therapy acronyms, Part 2: modalities

As part of an ongoing series clarifying therapy acronyms, I’ll go through some common acronyms for therapy modalities. Modalities are evidence-based techniques that your therapist may utilize to tailor the therapy experience to your specific needs.

• ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - this mindfulness-based technique focuses on accepting emotions as they happen, rather than trying to find against them

• ART: Accelerated Resolution Therapy - a way of replacing negative images in the mind with positive ones, to reduce traumatic triggers

• CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - helps to challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs and replace them with realistic, positive ones.

• CFT: Compassion Focused Therapy - aims to help those who struggle with shame and self-criticism

• DBT: Dialectical Behavior Therapy - focuses on helping people to accept their reality while also learning how to change for the better 

• EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - a highly effective treatment for PTSD and other disorders that uses visual stimulation to rewire the brain.

• IBP: Integrative Body Psychotherapy - a holistic approach to treatment that builds several modalities to increase awareness of how the body and mind relate.

• IFS: Internal Family Systems Model - views the mind as composed of a core of the “Self” and various sub-personalities or “parts”. 

• MI: Motivational Interviewing - collaborative counseling style designed to strengthen personal motivation 

• PCT: Person-Centered Therapy - an approach that empowers clients to lead their own healing process

• SFBT: Solution Focused (Brief) Therapy - emphasizes constructing solutions rather than overanalyzing problems

I hope you have found this series helpful! Next time, we’ll talk about common diagnosis acronyms.