There are generally considered to be two main theoretical bases for psychotherapy.

Psychoanalytic – based off of the work of Sigmund Freud, and has evolved since the late 1800s. The underlying idea is that there is an unconscious part of everyone’s mind that has a powerful and meaningful effect on our thoughts and everyday actions. By trying to examine the unconscious, a person can better understand their life and gain more control over the things they think, feel and do.

Cognitive Behavioral – focuses more on the present, accessible thoughts and behaviors of people rather than the subconscious and seeks to address them directly in order to make positive change.

Body Psychotherapy has its roots under the Psychoanalytic work of Sigmund Freud. It is generally understood that the broader concepts of body psychotherapy, like "energy" in the body, are similar to the "energy" concepts of Eastern medicines and philosophies (yoga, acupuncture, tai chi chuan, etc.) and also have connections with other "body therapies" (like massage, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais method, Rolfing, etc.).