What is the Psychological Model in Mental Health?

The psychological model in mental health focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of each individual. This approach believes that while physical and social factors can affect well-being, the way a person thinks and acts plays a large role in mental health. The psychological model has helped shape therapies, clinical practices, research, and training across the UK.

Psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists often use this model. They work alongside doctors, nurses, and social workers to provide a wide range of support tailored to thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and coping skills.

Key Principles of the Psychological Model

This model is built on several clear ideas, which include:

• Problems in mental health often stem from unhelpful thoughts or feelings.
• Past experiences—especially difficult or traumatic ones—can shape how we view ourselves and others.
• Patterns of thinking, emotions, and behaviour may become “stuck” and contribute to distress.
• Change in mental health is possible through learning new ways of thinking or coping.

The psychological model encourages people to explore how their inner world affects their well-being.

Types of Psychological Theories

There are several branches of the psychological model, each offering tools for understanding and support. Some of the main ones are:

• Cognitive: Focuses on thoughts and how they influence emotions and behaviour.
• Behavioural: Looks at learned behaviours and how they can be changed.
• Psychodynamic: Explores unconscious feelings or memories, often from childhood.
• Humanistic: Emphasises self-worth, personal growth, and the search for meaning.

Different therapies combine elements from more than one type. The choice depends on the person’s preferences and needs.

Psychological Explanations for Mental Health Problems

The psychological model does not ignore biology or society but places special attention on the mind. It explains mental health problems using concepts such as:

• Negative thinking patterns: For example, believing you are worthless or expecting failure.
• Maladaptive behaviour: Actions that may be unhelpful or damaging, such as avoiding situations or substance misuse.
• Unresolved trauma: Past abuse, neglect, or loss affecting your mood, relationships, or beliefs about safety.
• Difficulty with emotions: Struggles with managing anger, sadness, or anxiety.
• Distorted self-image: Low self-esteem or perfectionism that affects feelings and actions.

Therapies based on the psychological model help people make sense of these patterns and work to change them.

Assessment in the Psychological Model

Assessment focuses on understanding the unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings of each person. This process may involve:

• Listening to your story, in your own words
• Exploring feelings, thoughts, and actions in depth
• Considering the impact of past and present events
• Looking for patterns that may link to distress

Unlike the medical model, assessment here is less about giving a diagnosis and more about building an understanding for therapy.

Types of Psychological Therapies

The UK offers a range of psychological therapies, many available on the NHS. Key approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps people recognise and change unhelpful patterns in thinking and behaviour.
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Explores how past experiences and relationships influence present feelings.
• Humanistic Therapies: Such as person-centred counselling, which focuses on honesty, acceptance, and self-growth.
• Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Encourage being present and aware of thoughts without judgement.
• Family and Systemic Therapy: Involves working with families and social groups to improve relationships and understand difficulties.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Targets emotional regulation and distress tolerance.

These therapies may be short-term or long-term, individual or group-based.

Strengths of the Psychological Model

People appreciate the psychological model because it:

• Recognises individual experiences and respects everyone’s story.
• Offers a wide range of talking therapies, allowing choice and flexibility.
• Helps build coping skills for future challenges.
• Focuses on recovery and personal growth rather than just “managing” illness.
• Encourages self-awareness and understanding.

This approach can support people to make lasting changes that benefit many areas of life.

Weaknesses and Challenges

Despite many successes, the psychological model has some limitations:

• Access to therapy can be slow or limited due to waiting lists, especially on the NHS.
• Some people find talking about difficult memories or emotions upsetting at first.
• Not all therapies work for everyone—finding the right approach and therapist matters.
• Psychological therapies might not be enough for severe mental health conditions on their own.

Combining therapy with medication or social support is often helpful.

The Role of Psychologists and Therapists

Psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists provide assessment and therapy using the psychological model. Their work includes:

• Helping clients explore thoughts, beliefs, and emotional patterns
• Offering tools and techniques for coping with distress
• Supporting personal growth and confidence
• Supervising and training other staff

These professionals may work in the NHS, community services, schools, charities, or private practice.

The Importance of Lived Experience

The psychological model values the input and expertise of people with lived experience of mental health struggles. This can involve:

• Peer-support roles in services
• Involving clients in designing therapy options
• Feedback about what works or needs improvement

Respect for personal experience improves trust, engagement, and outcomes.

Partnership and Empowerment

Core goals of the psychological model include:

• Creating a safe, confidential space for exploration and healing
• Working in partnership between therapist and client
• Supporting choice and self-determination
• Encouraging clients to set their own goals for therapy

This approach helps people see themselves as active agents in their own recovery rather than passive patients.

Examples of Psychological Model Services

Numerous services across the UK apply psychological model principles, such as:

• NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programmes
• Private counselling or therapy practices
• Hospital and community psychology teams
• Charities offering crisis or bereavement counselling
• Support in schools and colleges

Support might be face-to-face, over the phone, or online.

Combining the Psychological Model With Other Approaches

Most mental health professionals now combine psychological, medical, and social models to offer joined-up care. For example:

• Someone with depression might receive both therapy and antidepressant medication.
• Services might address housing or employment issues alongside talking therapies.
• Involving family or carers when appropriate.

This “integrated” or “biopsychosocial” approach reflects the fact that mental health is shaped by many factors, not just one.

Rights and Access

Everyone in the UK has a legal right to access psychological therapies, though practical availability can vary. You can:

• Refer yourself to talking therapies through the NHS (in many areas)
• Ask your GP for a referral
• Seek help from colleges, universities, or workplace schemes

Therapists are bound by codes of ethics, which protect confidentiality and ensure the work is safe and respectful.

Recovery and Personal Growth

Recovery in the psychological model is more than just reducing symptoms—it is about:

• Building hope, confidence, and meaning
• Reclaiming a sense of control over life
• Learning skills to manage future setbacks
• Understanding and accepting oneself

Many people find these changes are the most valuable outcome of all.

Final Thoughts

The psychological model in mental health focuses on the mind, emotions, and behaviour. It sees mental distress as rooted in patterns of thinking, feeling, and reacting—often shaped by life experiences.

This approach offers a wide range of therapies and skills for recovery, helping people to build understanding and move forward. Many services now combine psychological approaches with medical and social support, offering more choice and a more complete picture of well-being for each individual.