The indications for psychological treatments are usually classified according to the diagnosis of the problem or by the actual presenting complaint.

For example, psychological treatments are indicated primarily for neuroses (acute and chronic), personality disorders, sexual problems, reactions to stress and life crisis.

Psychological treatments may also be useful in the treatment of psychosomatic disorders, psychological reactions to physical illnesses, habit disorders (such as substance or alcohol abuse, eating disorders, gambling, etc.) and in the emotional and conduct disorders of children.

Psychological treatments may also contribute to the general management of people who are mentally handicapped and to the management (during remission) of non-organic mental psychosis.

Factors for good outcome of any psychological treatments need to be known before engaging in such a therapy.

Such factors are: motivation, ability to verbalize one's feelings, capacity to tolerate frustration, willingness to examine one's experience in psychological terms, and finally, the wish to change.