What’s the different between psychotherapy vs. therapy? Therapy is a general category that includes a variety of medical, psychological, and behavioral health services. Psychotherapy is a specific type of therapy that is often used to treat mental and behavioral health concerns.
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a trusted source of personalized psychotherapy and experiential therapies, all of which are provided by dedicated professionals within a safe and highly supportive outpatient treatment environment.
Learn more about outpatient therapy in Atlanta or verify your insurance now.
What’s the Difference Between Psychotherapy vs. Therapy?
People often use the two terms interchangeably, but there is actually a simple yet significant difference between psychotherapy vs. therapy.
Therapy is the top-level category that encompasses several different types of treatment. Psychotherapy is one of these types. Other services that fit within the general category of therapy include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and experiential therapy.
From a mental health perspective, the two main types of therapy are psychotherapy and experiential therapy.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is often referred to as talk therapy. It involves two or more people sitting in the same room together or connected via a secure online platform.
Psychotherapy typically occurs in one of the following three formats:
- Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions with a trained professional can be ideal opportunities to explore the root causes of your mental health struggles, develop more effective coping strategies, and address personal concerns that you may not feel comfortable bringing up in a group environment.
- Group therapy: Groups are collaborative therapeutic environments that typically involve a small number of people who have been facing similar challenges, along with one or two trained professionals. Group therapy can focus on a range of topics, including learning more about the disorder you’ve been living with, practicing healthy communication and problem-solving skills, and sharing support with others.
- Family therapy: Family therapy sessions may involve your spouse, parents, siblings, adult children, and others who are especially close to you. The potential benefits of family therapy sessions include helping your loved ones process how they have been affected by your mental health struggles, resolving conflicts among all participants, and learning how to better support each other moving forward.
Modalities of Psychotherapy
Individual, group, and family psychotherapy sessions are typically guided by a specific approach or modality. Modalities that are frequently incorporated into treatment for addictions and mental health concerns include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a short-term, goal-directed approach that helps you identify self-defeating thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors so that you can replace them with healthier and more productive ways of thinking and acting.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT sessions focus on developing skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Acceptance and commitment therapy can help you accept that your emotions are appropriate responses to the challenges you encounter. ACT sessions also help you ensure that your behaviors align with your core values.
Experiential Therapy
Often referred to as holistic therapy, experiential therapy is action-oriented.
Experiential therapy sessions often begin and end with conversations to explain the purpose of the activity and help people process their experience. But the bulk of the session usually involves some type of hands-on or movement-based activity.
Depending on the type of experiential therapy you’re participating in, the goal of the activity may include reinforcing a healthier mind-body connection, managing stress, developing alternative ways of expressing your thoughts, and developing specific skills that will support your continued recovery.
Examples of holistic therapy at North Atlanta Behavioral Health include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Nutrition Counseling
- Art Therapy
- Physical Fitness & Education
Why Do People Get Therapy?
It would be impossible to list every reason why someone might get therapy. Many people get therapy after being diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition. Others seek therapy to help them deal with stress management, relationship conflicts, or other personal challenges.
Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders that are frequently treated with psychotherapy and/or experiential therapy include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Eating disorders
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Substance use disorders (addictions)
Life Challenges
Examples of life challenges that often prompt people to seek therapy include:
- Complicated grief
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Relationship problems
- Difficulty managing stress
- Mood swings
- Anger management problems
- Low self-esteem
- General dissatisfaction with life
Who Is Allowed to Provide Therapy?
The training and certification required to lead therapy sessions can vary depending on what type of therapy they’re providing and which state they are located in.
Types of professionals who frequently provide therapy include:
- Clinical psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
- Psychiatrist (MD or DO)
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
- Licensed professional counselor (LPC)
- Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
- Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
FAQ: Psychotherapy vs. Therapy
Do I Have To Be Diagnosed With a Mental Illness Before I Can Get Therapy?
You do not need to be diagnosed with a mental illness, or even have a mental illness, in order to get therapy. Many people talk to therapists to help them with challenges that are causing them significant distress or preventing them from living a more satisfying life.
If I’m Taking a Mental Health Medication, Do I Still Need Therapy?
Yes, you can still benefit from therapy if you’re taking medication for a mental health condition. Treatment for many mental illnesses often involves a combination of prescription medication and therapy. Taking medication can ease some symptoms, and participating in therapy can help you learn how to manage symptoms that aren’t alleviated by medication.
What’s the Best Type of Therapy?
There is no single best type of therapy that works for everyone. This is why it’s important to find a provider who will take the time to assess your unique circumstances, then identify the therapies and support services that best align with your needs and expectations.
Is There Any Proof That Therapy Actually Works?
Multiple studies have found that both psychotherapy and experiential therapies are beneficial for a wide range of patients. For example:
- An April 2024 study in the journal Clinical Psychology in Europe reported that there is “comprehensive meta-analytic evidence that psychotherapy works across the most common mental health conditions.”
- A May 2025 review in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy found that experiential therapies can be “efficacious transdiagnostic interventions for emotional disorders, with sustained benefits over time.”
Will Therapy Change My Personality?
Neither psychotherapy nor experiential therapies are designed to change who you are as a person. They simply provide guidance and pathways for you to better understand yourself and the challenges you are facing, so that you can become a happier and more resilient person.
Learn More About Outpatient Therapy in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers several types of psychotherapy and experiential therapies for adults whose lives have been affected by a wide range of mental health concerns.
Therapy at our center in Atlanta, GA, is provided in two environments, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). In both programs, you will work with a team of experienced professionals who are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and highly supportive environment.
Call 770-230-5699 today to learn more or verify your insurance now.
