Mental health

A focused behavioral therapy that helps a person gradually re-engage with meaningful, rewarding, or valued activities — countering the withdrawal and inactivity that can accompany low mood — using structured planning and activity scheduling.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression. Strong trial support, and its relative simplicity has made it a well-studied first-line behavioral approach.

A structured, skills-based talk therapy in which a therapist helps a person notice and re-examine unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and practice new responses between sessions. Usually time-limited (often several weeks to a few months) with active homework, and it is also delivered in guided digital/self-help formats.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression, anxiety disorders, panic, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and many other concerns; one of the most extensively researched talk therapies and frequently a first-line psychotherapy in clinical guidelines.

A structured, trauma-focused form of CBT that helps a person examine and reframe unhelpful beliefs that can follow a traumatic event — around safety, trust, control, and self-blame — usually across a defined number of sessions with written exercises.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for post-traumatic stress. A first-line, guideline-recommended trauma-focused therapy for PTSD.

A structured therapy that combines individual sessions with skills training in four areas — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. It balances acceptance and change and is typically delivered as a longer, more intensive program, sometimes with between-session coaching.

Commonly explored for: Originally developed for people with intense emotions and self-harm/suicidal thoughts and for borderline personality disorder; also studied for other conditions involving emotion regulation. Strong trial support for reducing self-harm and improving emotion regulation.

A specialized behavioral therapy in which a person gradually and safely faces feared situations, thoughts, or urges (exposure) while resisting the compulsive or avoidance behaviors normally used to reduce anxiety (response prevention), so the anxiety can settle on its own.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for obsessive-compulsive disorder and related conditions, and for phobias. A first-line, evidence-based psychotherapy for OCD.

A structured trauma-focused therapy in which a person briefly recalls distressing memories while the therapist guides bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements). The goal is to help the brain reprocess the memory so it feels less distressing over time.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for post-traumatic stress. Recommended in major PTSD guidelines as an effective trauma-focused therapy, delivered by trained clinicians.

A time-limited talk therapy that focuses on current relationships and life transitions — grief, role changes, conflicts, and social difficulties — on the premise that improving interpersonal functioning and support can improve mood.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression, including in the perinatal period, and studied for some other conditions. A well-validated, guideline-recognized psychotherapy for depression.

A talk therapy that uses mindfulness and acceptance strategies together with values-based action, aiming to increase psychological flexibility — the ability to stay present and act on what matters even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present, rather than fighting them.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and stress. A well-established approach with a growing randomized-trial base across a range of concerns.

Therapist-led formats that treat more than one person at a time. Group therapy brings together people working on similar concerns for shared support and skills practice; family or couples therapy works with the people around a person to improve communication, understanding, and support at home.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored across many concerns and as part of broader care; family-based approaches are well studied for some conditions (for example certain eating-disorder and youth-focused programs). Benefit varies by format and condition.

A structured group program (typically eight weekly sessions) that blends mindfulness meditation training with cognitive-therapy elements, teaching people to notice and step back from thought patterns that can pull mood downward.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to help reduce the likelihood of returning depressive episodes in people with a history of recurrent depression, and for ongoing symptoms. Supported by randomized trials for relapse prevention.

An insight-oriented talk therapy that explores how past experiences, emotions, and recurring relationship patterns — including ones a person may not be fully aware of — shape present-day feelings and behavior. Often less structured and sometimes longer-term than CBT.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression, anxiety, and long-standing relationship or personality-related difficulties. Randomized-trial evidence has grown and supports benefit for several conditions.

A therapist guides a person into a focused, relaxed state of heightened attention and then uses suggestion and imagery to work on specific goals. It is generally used as an add-on to other treatments rather than a stand-alone approach.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored as an adjunct for stress, anxiety, sleep, habit change, and some pain and gut-related symptoms. Evidence is mixed and often limited; quality and training of the practitioner matter.

A class of prescription medicines that affect brain signaling (including dopamine) and are used to reduce certain severe symptoms and to help stabilize mood in some conditions. They require clinician supervision and monitoring because of their range of possible effects.

Commonly explored for: Commonly prescribed for psychosis and for certain phases of bipolar disorder, and sometimes as add-on treatment in other conditions. Strong evidence base within their indications.

Prescription-only. Not medical advice. A qualified prescriber must assess suitability and monitor treatment; dosing/stopping must be supervised.

A medical procedure performed under general anesthesia by a specialist team, in which a carefully controlled electrical stimulus induces a brief, monitored seizure. Modern ECT is delivered in a controlled hospital or clinic setting with anesthesia and monitoring across a course of treatments.

Commonly explored for: Commonly considered for severe or life-threatening depression and certain other severe conditions, especially when a rapid response is needed or other treatments have not worked. One of the most effective options for severe cases in specialist settings.

A supervised medical procedure performed by specialists under anesthesia — not something done outside a clinical setting. Not medical advice; a clinician determines whether it is appropriate.

A group of prescription medicines used to help steady mood and reduce large mood swings over time. Several require regular clinician monitoring — sometimes including blood tests — and dosing is individualized and closely supervised.

Commonly explored for: Commonly prescribed in the long-term management of bipolar disorder and, in some cases, as add-ons in other situations. A guideline-supported cornerstone of bipolar care.

Prescription-only. Not medical advice. These medicines require specialist assessment and ongoing monitoring; never adjust or stop them on your own.

A class of prescription antidepressants that affect both serotonin and norepinephrine signaling. Taken daily under clinician supervision, they generally take several weeks to reach full effect and are chosen based on an individual's history and other factors.

Commonly explored for: Commonly prescribed for depression and certain anxiety conditions, and some are used for specific pain conditions. A well-established medication class.

Prescription-only. Not medical advice. A qualified prescriber must decide suitability, and dosing/stopping must be supervised.

A widely used class of prescription antidepressants that affect serotonin signaling in the brain. Taken daily, they typically take several weeks to reach full effect, and are started, adjusted, and stopped only under a clinician's supervision. Examples belong to a family of related medicines with differing profiles.

Commonly explored for: Commonly prescribed for depression and various anxiety-related conditions; often a first-line medication option in clinical guidelines.

Prescription-only. Not medical advice. Only a qualified prescriber can decide if a medication is appropriate, and dosing/stopping must be supervised — antidepressants should never be started or stopped abruptly on your own.

A varied group of prescription antidepressants that work through different mechanisms than SSRIs/SNRIs. Because their profiles differ, a clinician may select one based on individual factors such as sleep, energy, or side-effect considerations. Taken under supervision, with effects building over weeks.

Commonly explored for: Commonly prescribed for depression and, depending on the specific medicine, related concerns; sometimes chosen when other options are not a good fit.

Prescription-only. Not medical advice. Suitability and dosing are decided and supervised by a qualified prescriber.

Prescription treatments given only under close medical supervision in monitored settings. Esketamine is an approved nasal-spray form used within a supervised program; ketamine is used in specialist contexts. They can act more rapidly than traditional antidepressants but require monitoring during and after each dose.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored, within specialist programs, for certain hard-to-treat depression. Growing but still-developing evidence base; access is tightly controlled.

Prescription-only and administered under direct medical supervision in an approved/monitored setting — never self-obtained or self-administered. Not medical advice.

A non-invasive, in-clinic procedure that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. It does not require anesthesia; a typical course involves repeated sessions over several weeks, delivered by a trained team.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for depression that has not responded to other treatments, and being studied for some other conditions. Supported by trials and cleared for certain uses in various regions.

Delivered only in a supervised clinical setting by trained specialists. Not medical advice; a clinician determines whether it is appropriate.

Regular physical activity — aerobic movement, strength work, or simply moving more through the day. It can be self-guided or supported by a coach or clinician, and is generally most helpful when built into a sustainable routine.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to support mood, stress, and overall well-being, and often recommended alongside other treatment. Well-supported by research as a helpful, low-risk supportive habit for many people.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care. Check with a clinician before starting new exercise if you have a health condition.

Timed daily exposure to a specially designed bright light box, typically in the morning, to help regulate the body clock. Devices and protocols vary, and timing matters, so guidance from a clinician is often useful.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored for seasonal patterns of low mood and some circadian-rhythm and sleep concerns. Supported by trials for seasonal low mood.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care. Get clinician guidance on timing and suitability, especially with eye conditions or bipolar disorder.

Practices that train attention and a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment — for example breath-focused meditation or body scans. They can be self-guided with apps or classes, or taught within structured programs.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to help with stress, everyday anxiety, and general well-being. Randomized trials support modest benefits, especially within structured programs.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care.

General healthy-eating patterns (for example a balanced, largely whole-food, Mediterranean-style diet), adequate hydration, and limiting excess alcohol. Can be self-guided or supported by a dietitian, and is best treated as one part of overall self-care.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to support mood and general well-being as part of a broader routine. Evidence links overall dietary patterns to well-being, though effects are gradual and individual.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care. Talk to a clinician or dietitian before major dietary changes.

Everyday habits that support better sleep — a consistent schedule, a wind-down routine, limiting late caffeine and screens, and a comfortable sleep environment. For persistent insomnia, a structured therapy (CBT-I) is the more strongly evidence-based option.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to support sleep and, in turn, mood and daytime functioning. Helpful as a foundation; ongoing sleep problems are worth discussing with a clinician.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care. Persistent sleep problems can have medical causes — discuss them with a clinician.

Nurturing supportive relationships and reducing isolation — staying in contact with friends and family, participating in community or peer-support groups, and reaching out rather than withdrawing. Self-directed, and often encouraged as part of a care plan.

Commonly explored for: Commonly explored to support mood, resilience, and recovery. Strong observational links between social support and well-being; peer support is increasingly part of care.

Supportive, not a replacement for professional care. If you're struggling, reaching out to a clinician or a crisis line is a valid and important step.