Detailed comparison of all 14 counseling frameworks in the Counsel system.
Not sure which framework fits? Use /counsel and it will select automatically. This document is for understanding the frameworks in depth.
| If the core issue is... | Start with | Then consider |
|---|---|---|
| Anxious thoughts, worst-case scenarios | CBT | MBCT, ACT |
| "I must / I should" rigid thinking | REBT | CBT, ACT |
| Avoiding feelings or situations | ACT | MBSR, CBT |
| Wanting quick, concrete change | SFBT | MI, PPT |
| Knowing you should change but can't | MI | SFBT, ACT |
| Loss of meaning, burnout | PPT | ACT, SFBT |
| Physical stress, tension, pain | MBSR | MBCT, DBT Skills |
| Recurring depression, rumination loops | MBCT | CBT, MBSR |
| Identity struggles, feeling "labeled" | Narrative Therapy | IFS |
| Inner conflict, self-criticism | IFS | ACT, PPT |
| Grief, bereavement, loss | Worden's Grief | PCT, Narrative |
| Emotional explosions, impulsivity | DBT Skills | MBSR, IFS |
| Couple/relationship conflict | Gottman | MI |
| Just want to be heard | PCT | Active Listening |
| Framework | Wave | Orientation | Change Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT | 2nd | Cognitive-Behavioral | Change thoughts to change feelings and behavior |
| REBT | 2nd | Cognitive-Behavioral | Dispute irrational beliefs to rational ones |
| ACT | 3rd | Contextual Behavioral | Change relationship to thoughts, not the thoughts themselves |
| SFBT | Post-modern | Solution-Focused | Amplify what already works |
| MI | Integrative | Humanistic + Behavioral | Resolve ambivalence through guided self-motivation |
| PPT | Positive Psychology | Humanistic | Build strengths and well-being (not just reduce symptoms) |
| MBSR | 3rd | Mindfulness | Present-moment awareness transforms stress response |
| MBCT | 3rd | Cognitive + Mindfulness | Decentering prevents depressive relapse |
| Narrative Therapy | Post-modern | Social Constructionist | Separate person from problem; re-author stories |
| IFS | Integrative | Systems / Humanistic | Self leadership heals wounded inner parts |
| Worden's Grief | Integrative | Task-Based | Active mourning tasks restore functioning |
| DBT Skills | 3rd | Dialectical Behavioral | Balance acceptance AND change; learn concrete skills |
| Gottman | Empirical | Behavioral / Systems | Research-based relationship patterns and repair |
| PCT | 1st | Humanistic | Therapeutic relationship activates self-actualization |
| Framework | Signature Techniques |
|---|---|
| CBT | 7-column thought record, Socratic questioning, behavioral experiments, downward arrow, activity scheduling |
| REBT | A-B-C-D-E model, disputing irrational beliefs, shame-attacking exercises, unconditional self-acceptance |
| ACT | Hexaflex, cognitive defusion ("I notice the thought..."), values clarification, passengers on the bus, choice point |
| SFBT | Miracle question, scaling questions, exception finding, coping questions, compliments |
| MI | OARS (Open questions, Affirm, Reflect, Summarize), change talk elicitation, decisional balance, readiness ruler |
| PPT | Character strengths survey (VIA), three good things, gratitude letter, savoring, best possible self |
| MBSR | Body scan, sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful yoga, 3-minute breathing space |
| MBCT | 3-minute breathing space, decentering, pleasant/unpleasant events calendar, seeing thoughts as mental events |
| Narrative Therapy | Externalization, unique outcomes, re-authoring, outsider witness, definitional ceremony, tree of life |
| IFS | 6 F's (Find, Focus, Flesh out, Feel toward, beFriend, Fear), parts mapping, Self-energy check (8 C's), unburdening |
| Worden's Grief | Four tasks of mourning, continuing bonds, meaning reconstruction, grief-specific assessment |
| DBT Skills | TIPP, STOP, opposite action, PLEASE, DEAR MAN, radical acceptance, wise mind |
| Gottman | Four Horsemen + antidotes, Love Maps, turning toward, dreams within conflict, repair checklist |
| PCT | Unconditional positive regard, empathic reflection, congruence, non-directive presence |
| Framework | Typical Duration | Session Structure | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT | 12-20 sessions | Highly structured (agenda, mood check, topic, homework) | Yes, central |
| REBT | 10-20 sessions | Structured (A-B-C-D-E progression) | Yes, disputation practice |
| ACT | 8-16 sessions | Semi-structured (hexaflex guided) | Yes, values exercises |
| SFBT | 1-5 sessions | Minimal structure; client-led | Optional; "notice what works" |
| MI | 1-4 sessions | Semi-structured; spirit-led | Rarely formal |
| PPT | 14 sessions (protocol) | Structured positive exercises | Yes, strength-based |
| MBSR | 8 weeks (group) | Highly structured program | Yes, daily meditation |
| MBCT | 8 weeks (group) | Highly structured program | Yes, daily practice |
| Narrative Therapy | Variable | Flexible, conversation-based | Optional; letters, documents |
| IFS | Variable | Semi-structured (6 F's) | Optional; inner check-ins |
| Worden's Grief | Variable | Flexible, task-guided | Rituals, journaling |
| DBT Skills | 24 weeks (group) | Highly structured modules | Yes, diary cards |
| Gottman | Variable | Assessment-driven | Yes, relationship exercises |
| PCT | Variable | Unstructured; client-led | None formal |
| Framework | Evidence Level | Primary Conditions with Strong Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| CBT | Very strong | Depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, insomnia, chronic pain |
| REBT | Strong | Anxiety, anger, depression, low frustration tolerance |
| ACT | Strong | Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, substance use, OCD |
| SFBT | Moderate-Strong | Depression, family conflict, behavioral problems, school issues |
| MI | Very strong | Substance use, health behavior change, treatment adherence |
| PPT | Moderate | Depression (mild-moderate), well-being enhancement |
| MBSR | Strong | Stress, chronic pain, anxiety, immune function |
| MBCT | Very strong | Depression relapse prevention (50% reduction) |
| Narrative Therapy | Moderate | Depression, PTSD, grief, eating disorders, family conflict |
| IFS | Growing | PTSD, depression, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Worden's Grief | Strong | Normal and complicated grief |
| DBT | Very strong | Borderline PD, suicidality, self-harm, eating disorders |
| Gottman | Very strong | Relationship distress, divorce prevention |
| PCT | Strong (foundational) | Wide range; core conditions enhance all therapies |
How well frameworks work together (5 = exceptional synergy, 1 = conflicting approaches).
| CBT | REBT | ACT | SFBT | MI | PPT | MBSR | MBCT | Narr. | IFS | Worden | DBT-S | Gottman | PCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT | - | 5 | 3* | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2* |
| REBT | 5 | - | 2* | 3 | 2* | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| ACT | 3* | 2* | - | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| SFBT | 4 | 3 | 4 | - | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2* | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| MI | 3 | 2* | 5 | 4 | - | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| PPT | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | - | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| MBSR | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | - | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| MBCT | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | - | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Narr. | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2* | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | - | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| IFS | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | - | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Worden | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | - | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| DBT-S | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | - | 3 | 3 |
| Gottman | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | - | 3 |
| PCT | 2* | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | - |
* = Tension pair. Can work together but requires careful sequencing (see Tension Pairs below).
| Pair | Why They Work Together |
|---|---|
| CBT + REBT | Same cognitive-behavioral family; REBT handles "musts," CBT handles distortions |
| CBT + MBCT | MBCT was literally built on CBT; cognitive restructuring + mindfulness decentering |
| ACT + MI | Acceptance + intrinsic motivation; the most powerful combination for "stuck" situations |
| ACT + MBSR | Mindfulness is already a core ACT process; MBSR deepens it |
| ACT + IFS | Both embrace multiplicity; ACT's defusion + IFS parts work complement naturally |
| SFBT + PPT | Both focus on strengths and what works; solution amplification + positive psychology |
| MBSR + MBCT | MBCT was built on MBSR; same mindfulness foundation |
| MBSR + DBT Skills | Mindfulness is DBT's core module; MBSR provides depth |
| Narrative + IFS | Stories externalize what parts internalize; deep identity work |
| Narrative + Worden | Re-authoring grief stories; meaning-making in loss |
| Worden + PCT | Unconditional acceptance is the foundation grief work needs |
These can be used together but require resolution strategies:
| Pair | Tension | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| CBT + PCT | CBT seeks to change thoughts; PCT provides unconditional acceptance without agenda | Accept fully via PCT first, then apply CBT when the person is ready |
| CBT + ACT | CBT changes thought content; ACT changes relationship to thoughts | Use ACT defusion first, then CBT restructuring for specific distortions |
| REBT + ACT | REBT actively disputes beliefs; ACT does not engage with content | Address REBT's "musts" using ACT's defusion frame ("I notice the demand...") |
| REBT + MI | REBT is directive (disputing); MI is non-directive (eliciting) | Use MI to confirm readiness and motivation before applying REBT disputation |
| SFBT + Narrative | SFBT is quick/future-focused; Narrative explores deep stories | Start with SFBT for rapid relief, then deepen with Narrative if identity work is needed |
| Subtype | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized worry | CBT + MBCT | Gold standard combination |
| Social anxiety | CBT + ACT | Thought restructuring + values-based exposure |
| Panic attacks | CBT + MBSR | Cognitive tools + body-based grounding |
| Health anxiety | CBT + ACT | Evidence examination + acceptance of uncertainty |
| Performance anxiety | CBT + SFBT | Distortion correction + past success amplification |
| Subtype | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First episode, mild-moderate | CBT + PPT | Restructuring + strength building |
| Recurring depression | MBCT + CBT | Relapse prevention (MBCT has strongest evidence here) |
| Depression with apathy | PPT + SFBT | Meaning + small actionable steps |
| Depression with self-criticism | IFS + ACT | Parts work + self-compassion via acceptance |
| Depression with rumination | MBCT + MBSR | Decentering + mindfulness practice |
| Subtype | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Couple conflict patterns | Gottman + MI | Pattern identification + motivation for change |
| Communication breakdown | Gottman + NVC (howtotalk) | Four Horsemen antidotes + empathic expression |
| Relationship ambivalence | MI + IFS | Explore motivation + inner parts in conflict |
| Post-separation adjustment | Worden + Narrative | Loss processing + identity reconstruction |
| Subtype | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inner conflict | IFS + ACT | Parts dialogue + psychological flexibility |
| Self-criticism | IFS + PPT | Befriend the critic + build on strengths |
| Stigma / labels | Narrative + ACT | Externalize + defuse from identity stories |
| Burnout / meaninglessness | PPT + ACT | PERMA well-being + values reconnection |
| Perfectionism | REBT + ACT | Dispute "musts" + accept imperfection |
| Subtype | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional overwhelm | DBT Skills + PCT | TIPP/STOP skills + empathic holding |
| Acute grief | PCT + Worden | Listen first, then task framework |
| Suicidal ideation | SAFETY PROTOCOL | Crisis hotlines immediately. No framework work. |
| Emotional flooding | DBT Skills + MBSR | Distress tolerance + body-based calming |
| Intensity | Available Frameworks | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Overwhelming | PCT + DBT Skills ONLY | Stabilization priority. No analysis. |
| High | MBSR, MBCT, ACT (then others) | Acceptance and mindfulness first to create safety |
| Moderate | All 14 frameworks | Optimal learning zone; full toolkit available |
| Mild | CBT, REBT, SFBT | Analytical and behavioral approaches work well here |
| When Counsel detects... | Route to... | Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship communication issues | howtotalk | NVC, Active Listening, SCARF |
| Workplace structural problems | think | Systems Thinking |
| Four Horsemen in relationship | howtotalk | NVC for "I-message" expression |
| Organizational burnout | think | Drucker, BSC |