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4 types of therapy for bipolar disorder

With many different therapy approaches, it can be difficult to understand their differences and how they support people with bipolar disorder.

March 6, 2026

By Dr. Juli Fraga, Psy.D • Clinically reviewed by Dr. Joshua Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.

7 min read

By Dr. Juli Fraga, Psy.D • Clinically reviewed by Dr. Joshua Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.

When it comes to bipolar disorder, prescription medication was once the frontline treatment. And while medication still plays an important role, research shows that talk therapy also makes a difference. In fact, one study found that a combination of both can make treatment more successful. 

Yet with so many different types of therapy to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know what approach works best. 

Read on to learn about four different therapies that have been clinically proven to help treat bipolar disorder. Find out which therapy is best for you and how Headway helps support your mental health care.

Key insights

1

Several different types of therapy can help treat bipolar disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical-behavioral therapy, for example, teach you about tools that help you manage symptoms.

2

Family-focused therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy provide psychoeducation, stress management tools, and family support.

3

Choosing the right type of therapy can be overwhelming. Headway can connect you with a provider who’s trained to treat bipolar disorder so that you get the support you need.

How therapy treats bipolar disorder

In recent years, celebrities like Selena Gomez and the singer Halsey have spoken up about living with bipolar disorder. Gomez has been a champion of dialectical-behavior therapy, a research-backed treatment that can help you manage symptoms such as thoughts of self-harm, mood swings, and impulsivity. While Gomez takes prescribed medication, she credits DBT with helping her “befriend” bipolar disorder, which has helped her feel less ashamed and alone. 

There are two different types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I and bipolar II. Each type can cause racing thoughts, elevated moods, and feelings of hopelessness. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), teaches you to work with your thoughts, which can shift how you feel and behave.  Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (ISRT) can also help you manage stress. It can be combined with CBT, DBT, and family therapy.

Another type of therapy is family-focused therapy (FFT). FFT teaches family members how to recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, so that they can better support and advocate for a loved one who is living with this condition. In general, therapy provides psychoeducation about the symptoms of bipolar disorder and teaches you ways to manage them. More than one treatment approach can work.

What therapy approaches are best for bipolar disorder?

Several different types of therapy can effectively treat bipolar disorder. Here’s a brief summary of four research-backed approaches. 

1. Dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT) includes four parts: 1) mindfulness, 2) distress tolerance, 3) emotion regulation, and 4) interpersonal effectiveness. With these parts, DBT can help you navigate emotional highs and lows, as well as scary thoughts. Research shows that DBT can improve your well-being and teach you how to regulate overwhelming emotions, such as anger, fear, and sadness. 

2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify and reframe your thoughts, which in turn can work to alter your feelings and behaviors. Research shows that CBT can help ease many bipolar symptoms, except for psychosis and mania. It also teaches you how to monitor your mood symptoms, which may help prevent recurrence and improve your well-being.

3. Family-focused therapy (FFT)

Family-focused therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based treatment that teaches your caregivers and family members about bipolar disorder, so they can recognize the symptoms and provide support. FFT provides psychoeducation, communication skills training, and problem-solving. Over 30 years of research show that FFT can reduce bipolar symptoms, aid in recovery, and help prevent hospitalizations. 

4. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can disrupt your daily life and social relationships. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) helps you reduce stress and teaches you how to structure your routine by recording your daily activities in a log. IPSRT can also help you identify future triggers, increase self-esteem, and improve social support. It’s best used in combination with CBT, DBT, or family therapy.

Which approach to treating bipolar disorder is right for you?

At Headway, we can help you find the type of therapy that’s right for you. Choosing an approach that treats your symptoms is an important part of the recovery process. For example, DBT works well for symptoms like thoughts of self-harm, impulsivity, and emotional highs and lows. CBT helps you reframe distressing thoughts, such as “I’ll always feel overwhelmed,” or “Things will never change.” FFT and IPSRT can be used in combination with DBT and CBT. These treatments help with stress management and can improve support from loved ones. Your therapist will help you decide what type of therapy to start with.

How to find the right therapist for you

Regardless of what type of therapy you choose, it’s important to find the right match. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship plays an important role in treatment outcomes. As with any relationship, trust and safety are essential.

At Headway, we can connect you with a provider that’s right for you. Simply search for a therapist who specializes in bipolar disorder in our provider search tool and we’ll take care of the rest.

Simply share your preferences in our provider search tool, and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ll even estimate the cost for each session; all you need to provide are your insurance details. We take the guesswork out of finding mental health care, so that you can focus on your healing journey.

Explore types of therapy for other conditions

Headway is a great resource for finding specialized care across a wide range of needs. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, blended families, or anything else, check out our guides on where to begin:

Find the right bipolar disorder therapist for you

Every year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While navigating this condition can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to face this alone. Therapy and medication can help you manage your symptoms and recover.

At Headway, client care is our priority. With a directory of therapists who treat bipolar disorder, we take the guesswork out of finding quality mental health care. Our diverse network of over 70,000 therapists and psychiatric providers in all 50 states are trained in CBT, DBT, FFT, and IPSRT, and other treatment approaches. Let us help you navigate your mental health journey, because you don’t have to do it alone.

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

© 2026 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

Mental health conditions