What Is Therapy?

Perhaps the idea of seeking therapy is a concept you have been toying with for quite some time- or maybe you’ve realized that you have no one to turn to and speak openly about your problems with. Whatever might be your case, therapy is a great way to reboot our mindset and find solutions to the issues that we may not have been able to fix on our own.

For those who might be unfamiliar with the area of mental health, it might be helpful to have a deeper understanding of the various types of treatment available and how they can positively impact our lives as a whole.

So what is therapy?

The Oxford Dictionary defines therapy as “the treatment of mental or psychological disorders by psychological means.”

Therapy is a treatment that is a unique experience for each individual who participates. The ultimate goal is to assist in readjusting the headspace and improving one’s overall quality of life.

Do I Need Therapy?

This is a question that only you can honestly answer. However, the reality of the matter is, everyone can benefit from attending therapy sessions. Think of therapy as a vehicle, there may be nothing wrong or perhaps a few mechanical tune-ups that are needed, but after bringing the car to a trusted auto shop, it will be running good as new. The same principle applies to therapy; if something in your life isn’t working the way it should- why not try a different approach and see what options are at your disposal?

What Are The Reasons That People Consider Therapy?

There are various reasons why one might choose to pursue treatment; however, some of the mainstays that one might consider seeking treatment might be.

  • Substance Abuse
  • Family Matters
  • OCD
  • Self-esteem
  • Eating Disorders
  • Couple or relationship management therapy
  • Anxiety and stressors in life
  • Depression
  • Mental health issues such as bipolar disorder
  • Grief therapy

And the list goes on.

When it comes to seeking treatment, there is no wrong or correct answers that you can give; talk therapy is meant to be a positive experience that helps you to sort through the complex problems in your life and move forward to begin to live your best life possible.

What Are Some of Biggest Misconceptions Of Therapy?

  • “Everything will be fixed in one session.”

It is unlikely that all of the problems you might be experiencing in life will be solved throughout one therapeutic session. However, you may feel a sense of empowerment and ready to face challenges head-on after your first talk therapy session.

  • “My problems aren’t that bad.”

Problems and challenges are relative to those who are experiencing them. Just because our problems might be larger or smaller than others, that does not make them less important or impactful on your life. Focus on you. Comparing our issues to others is a very unhealthy habit. Just because our problems might seem “less significant or more significant than others.”

  • “I want to go to therapy, but it isn’t affordable for me.”

Thanks to the ever-growing sector of telehealth. There are therapists and mental health counselors that are available from the comfort of your home, work in-network with insurance plans and offer affordable co-pays. Everyone has access to treatment; there are options available for all.

  • “Therapy is for the mentally weak.”

Not at all. The ability to reach out to others requires strength that not all individuals can muster without a bit of push in the right direction.

  • “My life won’t change if I choose to seek treatment.”

This is a standard half-truth. Your life will not change if you do not choose to be positive and actively make the adjustments necessary to change your own life and individual circumstances. We cannot flip a switch, and life will go the way we want it to; we have to work for it.

What Types Of Therapy Are Available?

The realm of mental health is ever-expanding, with new strategies and techniques integrated to improve one’s quality of life every day. There are so many variations of therapy that are available from licensed mental health counselors, traditional therapists, psychologists, and intensive psychiatric care.

Here are a few of the most commonly known therapies

  • CBT Therapy:

What is CBT therapy? CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This form of treatment focuses on the link between psycho-social behaviors; since all aspects of our life are affected by our mental state, we must seek to find balance and structure within ourselves by introducing positive talk and, therefore, positive thought. This type of therapy is often recommended for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, substance abuse, and a plethora of other conditions.

  • Behavioral Therapy

What is behavioral therapy? This form of treatment possesses many other forms of mental health treatment and is often considered the “umbrella term” covering many mental health issues. The conception that embodies behavioral therapy is that our patterns are learned- not ingrained. Therefore, this is a way to change our thought processes and improve our mental health and lifestyle.

  • Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a form of “talk therapy” that is often used in conjunction with other mental health techniques and forms of treatment. Psychotherapy is offered by licensed mental health counselors( LMHC) and psychiatrists alike. Psychotherapy is used to help patients manage the issues of their daily life, as well as process deep-rooted trauma; there are short-term and long-term options for treatment.

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

This is a branch of the cognitive-behavioral sector; DBT seeks to improve the landscape of the mind by targeting negative behavior and changing them to create positive motion in our lives.

  • Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy promotes the approach that the mind, body, and spirit are all one and must be aligned to function effectively and experience an entire level of well-being and healing. We can not heal specific parts of ourselves and neglect others; otherwise, the healing journey will never be complete.

  • EDMR

EDMR is the Eye-Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing. The goal of this form of therapy is to heal the pain that is caused by trauma, and it has proven to be incredibly beneficial for individuals who are suffering from the effects of PTSD

  • Humanistic Therapy

This is a derivative of psychotherapy used to help patients manage depression, anxiety, and daily life stressors. This form of treatment helps guide those who need direction and seek to find their inherent purpose in life.

You may be wondering, are there other types of therapy available?

Yes! There are!

Other forms of therapy that are known for their excellent results are:

There are so many variations of mental health treatment that are available to you, and there is very infrequently a “one-size-fits-all” approach. What may have helped a friend or loved one may or may not have the same result for you. Reach out to a mental health professional near you to help assess your needs and what type of treatment might best suit you.

What Type Of Therapy Is Best For Me?

Determining what type of therapy and treatment is needed without a preliminary background can be difficult to decide without knowing a little more about you as a person and your environment. However, the base standard always applies that anyone who seeks therapy can benefit from it. Even simply disclosing stressors and goals for the future with a listening ear can open our eyes and hearts and help us see varied perspectives we perhaps could not do so independently.

So what is the first step?

  • Research a licensed mental health counselor, ideally one specializing in the problems you might be struggling to manage.
  • Honesty is the best policy. Be open about your goals and reservations. It is the only authentic way to make improvements.
  • Identify your goals for the future.
  • Create a plan of action with your LMHC
  • Seek further treatment from a drug and alcohol rehab if need be.
  • Get ready to change your life.

Does Therapy Work?

The honest answer?

Yes and no.

The strategies and techniques distributed during the therapeutic process are incredibly beneficial. They will help you reach your goals, both short-term and long term, and whatever your other goals and desires might be. However, if one does not make an active attempt to put in the work on themselves and does not honestly believe change can result from their work-results will be limited, if at any at all. Therapy is not a magic button you can push, and everything will be okay immediately. Therapy takes time, effort, and a desire to create positive change for yourself and the life you are living.

Do you have questions about therapy? Please reach out to us here at St. John’s Recovery Place; we can answer your questions about various treatments and how to create positive change if you or a loved one has been affected by substance abuse and requires treatment; we can help.

Let’s get started.

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