Therapy Directories

There are many kinds of therapy out there. The four mentioned below have been shown to be effective for bipolar, although it’s not an exhaustive list – it’s just to get you started on your exploration.

When you are looking for a therapist, make sure you seek a bipolar specialist. You can filter by “bipolar” in the directories above. Make sure to interview a potential therapist to confirm their competence and make sure they are a good fit for you.

Therapy for Bipolar

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for bipolar is all about identifying negative thinking patterns and challenging them. For example, instead of thinking “Everyone is judging me all the time,” start looking for evidence that disputes this thought. Ask yourself, why are you thinking this? Has anyone said anything to you? Is there an alternative explanation here? How can you reframe this thought?

Your CBT therapist will guide you as you learn different techniques for combating unhelpful thinking. They will also teach you practical skills for climbing out of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered highly effective for depressive phases of bipolar, and it can keep you from acting out on impulse during manic phases.

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) is a mouthful, but this therapy is considered quite effective for bipolar disorder. IPSRT works by improving the person’s biological and social rhythms. Research shows that disruptions in routine can cause mood episodes in people with bipolar, thus IPSRT encourages keeping a schedule to maintain a stable circadian rhythm.

IPSRT usually starts with therapist and client choosing an area where the client could improve in terms of social functioning and biological routine. Therapist then uses tracking, teaches skills, and instills confidence about client’s ability to handle disruptions in routine. IPSRT is usually used as a complementary treatment for another kind of therapy and is designed to be short-term.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is all about mindfulness, tolerating distress, emotional regulation, and improving relationship skills. Mindfulness skills will help you be more aware of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Distress tolerance skills will teach you about healthier ways to cope with your emotions such as distraction, exercising, journaling, etc.

Emotional regulation will help you manage your emotions when you are going through a depressive or manic episode. Finally, you will learn how to repair relationships damaged as a result of bipolar symptoms and how to prevent those mistakes from happening again. DBT is often done in groups, but it can also be taught in individual therapy where it is often combined with other approaches.

Family-Focused Therapy

While you may be thinking you are the only one struggling with manic or depressive episodes, your family is struggling with you. Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder has been around since the 80s. Early sessions are all about education on your symptoms, recognizing the warning signs, and how to manage them as a team. Later sessions are about communication and problem-solving skills, especially about family issues.

Did you have a particularly good or bad experience with therapy? Please share in the comments!

  • @PepeSilvia
    3•2 years ago

    I half-heartedly tried therapy. First visit I told her one topic was off limits. Second, she pushed and I reminded her it was off limits. Third time, she spent most of the visit trying to get me to talk about it. $70 a week to talk about things I’m super busy trying to repress… pass lmao

    • @ickplantOPM
      2•2 years ago

      Some therapists just aren’t good. She shouldn’t push for something you’ve explicitly stated is off limits. The saying is “start where the client’s at” not “push the client to start where you feel is appropriate.” I’m sorry you had that experience.

      • @Altruistic_Flower
        2•7 months ago

        This. If you don’t like the therapist just tell the front desk that you would like to try a different person. I’ve had to do that several times until I found one I really liked and understood my boundaries. It’s been immensely helpful.