Therapy for Founders: the approaches and terminology explained
Psychotherapy? Counselling? CBT? Coaching? Heard all of these terms, but you don’t really know what sets them apart? Or which one might be right for you? Let’s break it down!
Talking therapy is a term used in the psychology world as any kind of therapeutic support that is engaged in through talking. And the conversation around therapy is ever-increasing. For founders, therapy may be a vital space you can utilise to increase mental fitness, support your emotional wellbeing, and allow you to show up as the best version of yourself each day.
Let’s break down the different approaches to therapy and look at how they can support.
Psychotherapy
A psychotherapist in the UK is an individual who is trained and qualified typically to a masters-level. It can take 5-7 years to train as a psychotherapist, and many will specialise in a particular approach. Note: always be sure to check a therapist is accredited by a registered body.
-> CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most widely-applied therapeutic styles in the UK at the moment. This is likely because CBT is offered on the NHS. CBT breaks down thoughts, feelings and behaviours, drawing attention to how each of these components can relate to each other. CBT is typically offered in a course of 6, 8 or 12 sessions. Therefore, it is a short-term talking therapy. CBT is often rigid, structured, and can support individuals with one presenting problem by breaking it down and implementing coping strategies at each stage.
-> Psychodynamic
The psychodynamic approach to therapy has roots in some of the pioneering academics in psychotherapy. It is a long-term talking therapy, and you may see some professionals who adopt this approach being titled as a ‘psychoanalyst’. Psychodynamic therapy often supports the individual in delving into past experiences, uncovering suppressed and unconscious thoughts, and encouraging self-awareness.
-> Humanistic
The humanistic approach has empathy at the core. Therapists in this area work in the here-and-now rather than the past, encouraging the individual to have self-awareness, but also self-compassion. Humanistic therapy supports the individual to engage with their truest self, increasing self-esteem allowing for self-discovery.
-> Integrative
An integrative approach often means the therapist is trained in multiple approaches and may draw upon different methods and techniques that will best suit the needs of the individual.
There is such a wide variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, and these are ever-growing and evolving. Art, drama, dance, walking, and mindfulness therapies are growing and expanding, with their own unique take on the traditional talking approach. Here, we have outlined the largest and most widely applied approaches but, be sure to explore different options, and find one that suits your needs.
Other forms of support
-> Counselling
Counsellors in the UK differ slightly from psychotherapists. They undergo different training, and it typically takes around 3-4 years to complete. Counsellors may draw upon psychotherapeutic perspectives as above, and you may see some practitioners called an ‘Integrative Counsellor’ or ‘Psychotherapeutic Counsellor’. Counselling typically serves as a place to offload and verbalise your thoughts and feelings. Depending on that counsellor’s modality, they may adopt similar approaches to the ones explored above.
-> Coaching
Coaching is a relatively new field, and has multiple applications from career coaching, to business coaching, to leadership coaching, to life coaching. Trained coaches will often support an individual with their goals. It is an action-based approach that works with individuals to improve or grow in a particular area. In this sense, coaching is looking forward, whereas most forms of therapy look-back and observe the present.
Therapy can be incredibly powerful for founders, allowing them the space to work through the stresses and strains of building a start-up. The process of finding the right therapist for you is like trying on pairs of shoes, not all of them will fit, but when you find the one that does, it can take you further than you imagined.
Written by: Dani Olliffe, Psychological Well-being Associate
Therapy for Founders: the approaches and terminology explained
Psychotherapy? Counselling? CBT? Coaching? Heard all of these terms, but you don’t really know what sets them apart? Or which one might be right for you? Let’s break it down!
Talking therapy is a term used in the psychology world as any kind of therapeutic support that is engaged in through talking. And the conversation around therapy is ever-increasing. For founders, therapy may be a vital space you can utilise to increase mental fitness, support your emotional wellbeing, and allow you to show up as the best version of yourself each day.
Let’s break down the different approaches to therapy and look at how they can support.
Psychotherapy
A psychotherapist in the UK is an individual who is trained and qualified typically to a masters-level. It can take 5-7 years to train as a psychotherapist, and many will specialise in a particular approach. Note: always be sure to check a therapist is accredited by a registered body.
-> CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most widely-applied therapeutic styles in the UK at the moment. This is likely because CBT is offered on the NHS. CBT breaks down thoughts, feelings and behaviours, drawing attention to how each of these components can relate to each other. CBT is typically offered in a course of 6, 8 or 12 sessions. Therefore, it is a short-term talking therapy. CBT is often rigid, structured, and can support individuals with one presenting problem by breaking it down and implementing coping strategies at each stage.
-> Psychodynamic
The psychodynamic approach to therapy has roots in some of the pioneering academics in psychotherapy. It is a long-term talking therapy, and you may see some professionals who adopt this approach being titled as a ‘psychoanalyst’. Psychodynamic therapy often supports the individual in delving into past experiences, uncovering suppressed and unconscious thoughts, and encouraging self-awareness.
-> Humanistic
The humanistic approach has empathy at the core. Therapists in this area work in the here-and-now rather than the past, encouraging the individual to have self-awareness, but also self-compassion. Humanistic therapy supports the individual to engage with their truest self, increasing self-esteem allowing for self-discovery.
-> Integrative
An integrative approach often means the therapist is trained in multiple approaches and may draw upon different methods and techniques that will best suit the needs of the individual.
There is such a wide variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, and these are ever-growing and evolving. Art, drama, dance, walking, and mindfulness therapies are growing and expanding, with their own unique take on the traditional talking approach. Here, we have outlined the largest and most widely applied approaches but, be sure to explore different options, and find one that suits your needs.
Other forms of support
-> Counselling
Counsellors in the UK differ slightly from psychotherapists. They undergo different training, and it typically takes around 3-4 years to complete. Counsellors may draw upon psychotherapeutic perspectives as above, and you may see some practitioners called an ‘Integrative Counsellor’ or ‘Psychotherapeutic Counsellor’. Counselling typically serves as a place to offload and verbalise your thoughts and feelings. Depending on that counsellor’s modality, they may adopt similar approaches to the ones explored above.
-> Coaching
Coaching is a relatively new field, and has multiple applications from career coaching, to business coaching, to leadership coaching, to life coaching. Trained coaches will often support an individual with their goals. It is an action-based approach that works with individuals to improve or grow in a particular area. In this sense, coaching is looking forward, whereas most forms of therapy look-back and observe the present.
Therapy can be incredibly powerful for founders, allowing them the space to work through the stresses and strains of building a start-up. The process of finding the right therapist for you is like trying on pairs of shoes, not all of them will fit, but when you find the one that does, it can take you further than you imagined.
Written by: Dani Olliffe, Psychological Well-being Associate
Therapy for Founders: the approaches and terminology explained
Psychotherapy? Counselling? CBT? Coaching? Heard all of these terms, but you don’t really know what sets them apart? Or which one might be right for you? Let’s break it down!
Talking therapy is a term used in the psychology world as any kind of therapeutic support that is engaged in through talking. And the conversation around therapy is ever-increasing. For founders, therapy may be a vital space you can utilise to increase mental fitness, support your emotional wellbeing, and allow you to show up as the best version of yourself each day.
Let’s break down the different approaches to therapy and look at how they can support.
Psychotherapy
A psychotherapist in the UK is an individual who is trained and qualified typically to a masters-level. It can take 5-7 years to train as a psychotherapist, and many will specialise in a particular approach. Note: always be sure to check a therapist is accredited by a registered body.
-> CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most widely-applied therapeutic styles in the UK at the moment. This is likely because CBT is offered on the NHS. CBT breaks down thoughts, feelings and behaviours, drawing attention to how each of these components can relate to each other. CBT is typically offered in a course of 6, 8 or 12 sessions. Therefore, it is a short-term talking therapy. CBT is often rigid, structured, and can support individuals with one presenting problem by breaking it down and implementing coping strategies at each stage.
-> Psychodynamic
The psychodynamic approach to therapy has roots in some of the pioneering academics in psychotherapy. It is a long-term talking therapy, and you may see some professionals who adopt this approach being titled as a ‘psychoanalyst’. Psychodynamic therapy often supports the individual in delving into past experiences, uncovering suppressed and unconscious thoughts, and encouraging self-awareness.
-> Humanistic
The humanistic approach has empathy at the core. Therapists in this area work in the here-and-now rather than the past, encouraging the individual to have self-awareness, but also self-compassion. Humanistic therapy supports the individual to engage with their truest self, increasing self-esteem allowing for self-discovery.
-> Integrative
An integrative approach often means the therapist is trained in multiple approaches and may draw upon different methods and techniques that will best suit the needs of the individual.
There is such a wide variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, and these are ever-growing and evolving. Art, drama, dance, walking, and mindfulness therapies are growing and expanding, with their own unique take on the traditional talking approach. Here, we have outlined the largest and most widely applied approaches but, be sure to explore different options, and find one that suits your needs.
Other forms of support
-> Counselling
Counsellors in the UK differ slightly from psychotherapists. They undergo different training, and it typically takes around 3-4 years to complete. Counsellors may draw upon psychotherapeutic perspectives as above, and you may see some practitioners called an ‘Integrative Counsellor’ or ‘Psychotherapeutic Counsellor’. Counselling typically serves as a place to offload and verbalise your thoughts and feelings. Depending on that counsellor’s modality, they may adopt similar approaches to the ones explored above.
-> Coaching
Coaching is a relatively new field, and has multiple applications from career coaching, to business coaching, to leadership coaching, to life coaching. Trained coaches will often support an individual with their goals. It is an action-based approach that works with individuals to improve or grow in a particular area. In this sense, coaching is looking forward, whereas most forms of therapy look-back and observe the present.
Therapy can be incredibly powerful for founders, allowing them the space to work through the stresses and strains of building a start-up. The process of finding the right therapist for you is like trying on pairs of shoes, not all of them will fit, but when you find the one that does, it can take you further than you imagined.
Written by: Dani Olliffe, Psychological Well-being Associate