Types of Medical Therapies: A List of Treatment Options
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 4 Aug 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
A reference list of medical therapy types, covering psychotherapy and counseling approaches plus traditional and alternative treatments for health problems.
At a Glance
- 1 - In medicine, therapy is generally synonymous with treatment, abbreviated as tx or Tx.
- 2 - Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be used on its own or combined with medication under the care of a mental health professional.
- 3 - Counseling approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, family therapy, Gestalt therapy, and neurolinguistic programming (NLP).
- 4 - The wider list spans hundreds of treatments, from acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and massage therapy to chemotherapy, gene therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell therapy.
Topic Definition
- Therapy
Therapy is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually put in place once a diagnosis has been made. In everyday medical use it is largely interchangeable with the word treatment, often shortened to tx or Tx, which clinicians tend to reach for more readily than therapy itself. Among psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and clinical social workers, though, the term often points specifically to psychotherapy, the talking therapy that helps a person examine and shift troubling thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Beyond that mental health meaning, therapy covers an enormous range of physical and medical treatments, from acupuncture and massage to chemotherapy and radiation, each chosen to fit the individual's needs and medical situation.
Overview
Therapy is defined as the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a diagnosis. In the medical field, it is usually synonymous with treatment (abbreviated tx or Tx), which is used more commonly than "therapy". Among psychologists and other mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and clinical social workers, the term may refer specifically to psychotherapy (talking therapy).
Psychotherapies Treatment Options
Psychotherapy can be an alternative to medication, or can be used along with other treatment options, such as medications. Choosing the right treatment plan should be based on a person's individual needs and medical situation and under a mental health professional's care.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Most psychotherapy takes place with a licensed and trained mental health care professional and a patient, meeting one on one or with other patients in a group setting.
Even when medications relieve symptoms, psychotherapy and other interventions can help a person address-specific issues. These might include self-defeating ways of thinking, fears, problems with interactions with other people, or dealing with situations at home and at school or with employment.
Different Types of Counseling Therapy May Include:
- Hypnotherapy
- Family therapy
- Psychoanalysis
- Gestalt Therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Multimodal therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Integrative approaches
- Relationship counselling
- Cognitive analytical therapy
- Person-centered counselling
- Psychodynamic Counselling
- Solution-focused brief therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Neurolinguistic programming (NLP)
Other Types of Therapy Include
- Abortive Therapy
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Adjunct Therapy
- Adjunctive Therapy
- Adjuvant Therapy
- Alternative Therapy
- Androgen Replacement Therapy
- Animal-assisted Therapy
- Antibody Therapy
- Antihormone Therapy
- Antiserum Therapy
- Aquarium Therapy
- Aquatic Therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Auger Therapy
- Aurotherapy
- Autism Therapies
- Autologous Immune Enhancement Therapy
- Biotherapy
- Blood Irradiation Therapy
- Brachytherapy
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cell Therapy
- Cytotherapy
- Cell Transfer Therapy
- Chelation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Chinese Food Therapy
- Chiropractic Therapy
- Chronotherapy
- Chrysotherapy
- Cobalt Therapy
- Cold Compression Therapy
- Combination Therapy
- Consolidation Therapy
- Contrast Bath Therapy
- Counseling
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Crystal Therapy
- Curative Therapy
- Cytoluminescent Therapy
- Dark Therapy
- Definitive Therapy
- Destination Therapy
- Diesel Therapy
- Dietary Therapy
- Drug Therapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Electromagnetic Therapy
- Electromagnetic Therapy
- Electron Therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Empiric Therapy
- Energy Therapy
- Enzyme Replacement Therapy
- Epigenetic Therapy
- Equine Therapy
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy
- Exercise Therapy
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
- Fast Neutron Therapy
- Feldenkrais Therapy
- Fluoride Therapy
- Gene Therapy
- Gene Therapy For Color Blindness
- Gene Therapy For Epilepsy
- Gene Therapy For Osteoarthritis
- Gene Therapy In Parkinson's Disease
- Gene Therapy Of The Human Retina
- Gold Standard Therapy
- Grape Therapy
- Greyhound Therapy
- Halotherapy
- Heat Therapy
- Helminthic Therapy
- Herbal Therapy
- Hippotherapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Hormonal Therapy (oncology)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (menopause)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (transgender)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (female-to-male)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (male-to-female)
- Host Modulatory Therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Hyperthermia Therapy
- Hypothermia Therapy For Neonatal Encephalopathy
- Ichthyotherapy
- Immunosuppressive Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Induction Therapy
- Intraoperative Electron Radiation Therapy
- Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy
- Intravenous Therapy
- Inversion Therapy
- Investigational Therapy
- Laser Therapy
- Leech Therapy
- Light Therapy
- Lithium Therapy
- Low-Level Laser Therapy
- Maggot Therapy
- Magnet Therapy
- Magnetic Resonance Therapy
- Maintenance Therapy
- Manual Therapy
- Martial Arts Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Massotherapy
- Medical Gas Therapy
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Medical Therapy
- Mesotherapy (pseudoscientific)
- Molecular Chaperone Therapy
- Molecular Therapy
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
- Monotherapy
- Mud Therapy (prescientific)
- Music Therapy
- Negative Air Ionization Therapy
- Neoadjuvant Therapy
- Neurologic Music Therapy
- Neutron Capture Therapy Of Cancer
- Neutron Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Oral Rehydration Therapy
- Osmotherapy
- Oxygen Therapy
- Ozone Therapy
- Palliative Therapy
- Particle Therapy
- Pet Therapy
- Phage Therapy
- Pharmacotherapy
- Phonemic Neurological Hypochromium Therapy
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Phototherapy
- Photothermal Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Phytotherapy
- Platin Therapy
- Polychemotherapy
- Polytherapy
- Preventive Therapy
- Prolotherapy
- Prophylactic Therapy
- Protein Therapy
- Proton Therapy
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
- PUVA Therapy
- Quack Therapies
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiotherapy
- Rehydration Therapy
- Rescue Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Retail Therapy
- Salt Therapy
- Salvage Therapy
- Serotherapy
- Sonodynamic Therapy
- Sound Therapy
- Spa Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Speleotherapy
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Step Therapy
- Stepladder Therapy
- Stepdown Therapy
- Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
- Supportive Therapy
- Systemic Therapy
- Sweat Therapy
- Targeted Therapy
- Thermotherapy
- TK Cell Therapy
- Tolerogenic Therapy
- Transdermal Continuous Oxygen Therapy
- Ultraviolet Light Therapy
- Urine Therapy
- Virotherapy
- Wake Therapy
- Waon Therapy
- Water Cure (therapy)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between therapy and treatment
The two terms are often used interchangeably in medicine, with treatment being the more common word, though among mental health professionals therapy frequently refers specifically to psychotherapy or talk therapy.
How do I know which type of therapy is right for me
The right choice depends on your individual needs, diagnosis, and medical situation, and it is best decided with a qualified doctor or mental health professional who can tailor a plan to you.
Is psychotherapy as effective as medication
Psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication or alongside it, and for many people a combination works best, so the balance should be guided by a mental health professional.
What is the difference between traditional and alternative therapy
Traditional therapy relies on evidence based medical treatments, while alternative therapy covers practices used in place of conventional medicine, some of which lack scientific support, so caution and professional advice are important.
Can several therapies be combined at the same time
Yes, combination and adjunct therapies are common in medicine, where two or more treatments are used together to improve results, but this should always be coordinated by your care team.
What is physical therapy used for
Physical therapy helps restore strength, movement, and function after injury, surgery, or illness, and it is a core part of many rehabilitation programs.
Are alternative therapies safe to use
Some complementary therapies can support wellbeing, but others are unproven or risky, so you should discuss any alternative treatment with your doctor before starting to avoid harmful interactions.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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