What Are the Different Types of Therapy? Choosing Between Individual, Couples, and Family Support

Starting therapy is a brave and important step—but it can also come with a lot of uncertainty. One of the most common questions we hear from new clients at Waterloo Therapy Group is, “What type of therapy do I actually need?”

Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stuck in conflict with a partner, or navigating tension with a family member. You know something needs to change—but figuring out how to get support can feel like another thing to solve. Should you go it alone in individual therapy? Invite a loved one into the process with couples or family therapy? What if you’re not even sure where the problem starts?

This post breaks down the key differences between individual, couples, and family therapy—and how to know which one might be the best place to begin.

What Is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is a one-on-one space where you work directly with a therapist to explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns. It’s often the best starting point when you’re facing challenges that feel personal—like anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-worth, or life transitions.

That said, individual therapy isn’t just about you in isolation. It’s also a space to explore your relationships, roles, and experiences in the context of your family, identity, or culture. Many of our clients come to individual therapy because they’re noticing patterns in their relationships—maybe they tend to shut down in conflict, or they struggle with setting boundaries—and they want to understand and shift those dynamics from the inside out.

Individual therapy can offer:

• A confidential space to unpack what's going on internally

• Support in identifying and shifting stuck patterns

• Tools for managing emotional overwhelm, stress, or reactivity

• A deeper understanding of how your past experiences are shaping your present

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy is for romantic partners who want to strengthen, heal, or understand their relationship better. Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, open, monogamous, or somewhere in between—couples therapy is designed to help both of you feel heard, connected, and aligned.

You don’t need to be in crisis to seek couples therapy. Many couples come in for support during transitions like moving in together, having children, or rebuilding trust after a rupture. Others come because they’re tired of having the same fight over and over and want to learn how to communicate more effectively.

In couples therapy, the relationship is the client—so your therapist will be focused on helping you both understand your dynamic and create new ways of relating.

Couples therapy can offer:

• A neutral space to work through conflict

• Tools for improving communication and deepening intimacy

• Support in rebuilding trust after a betrayal

• Insight into attachment patterns and emotional needs

What Is Family Therapy?

Family therapy includes two or more members of a family system—parents and children, adult siblings, co-parents, or even extended family. It’s especially useful when patterns of tension, blame, or miscommunication are impacting multiple members of a family.

Family therapy doesn’t assign one person as “the problem.” Instead, it looks at how everyone’s roles and reactions influence each other, and how the family as a whole can shift toward healthier functioning. This can be especially powerful when navigating big changes (like a divorce or loss), supporting a family member through mental health or substance use issues, or healing old wounds from childhood.

Family therapy can offer:

• Help with communication and boundary-setting across generations

• Space to process shared challenges (like caregiving or trauma)

• A way to support a child or teen without making them the focus of blame

• Tools for healing and reconnecting in a safe, structured space

Still Not Sure Which Type of Therapy Is Right for You?

You’re not alone. The “right” kind of therapy isn’t always obvious—and it doesn’t have to be a permanent choice. Some people start with individual therapy and later bring in a partner or family member. Others begin with couples or family work and then continue individually to go deeper on their own journey.

Here are a few questions to help clarify your next step:

• Am I mainly struggling with something internal—like anxiety, depression, or identity?→ Start with individual therapy.

• Is this about how I relate to my partner or our dynamic together?→ Couples therapy may be the best fit.

• Are multiple family members affected or involved in the issue?→ Family therapy could be the most helpful approach.

And remember: the most important thing is starting somewhere. At Waterloo Therapy Group, our therapists think systemically—so even in individual therapy, we’re attuned to the bigger picture of your relationships and environment. If you’re still unsure, we’re happy to help guide you toward the right fit.

You Deserve Support That Matches Your Needs

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re seeking insight, connection, healing, or clarity—we’re here to help you find a path forward that honors your unique circumstances. Individual, couples, and family therapy are all powerful tools, and sometimes the hardest part is just reaching out.

If you’re ready to start therapy—or want help deciding what kind of therapy makes the most sense for you—we’re here to support you. Reach out anytime.