Why Everybody Can Benefit from Therapy
Sometimes, just talking about your problems can put you at ease. No matter how big or small the issue, having someone to listen — and even offer guidance — can help you cope and find new resolution methods. Professional counseling services are a great way to face life’s challenges. However, due to societal stigmas or personal discomfort, not everyone sees counseling as a viable option, which can lead to compounding problems and negatively impacting mental wellness.
Don’t let others’ opinions shape your perception. Learn why counseling and therapy can be a great outlet to improve your mental health and navigate life’s twists and turns.
What are counseling services?
Psychotherapy — also called talk therapy — is a series of treatments designed to help patients identify and treat problematic thoughts, feelings, or actions by talking through them with a licensed provider, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Common reasons for seeking psychotherapy may include:
- Severe or long-term stress brought on by factors like work and family situations or the loss of a loved one
- Depression symptoms with no physical explanation
- Healthcare provider suspecting or diagnosing a mental disorder
- Supporting a family member who has been diagnosed with a condition affecting their mental health
What does psychotherapy involve?
Psychotherapy can use many different methods and approaches to help patients find alternative solutions to stressful situations. One of the most common methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), through which providers help patients identify harmful or inaccurate thoughts — e.g., low self-esteem — before teaching ways to question and correct those feelings. CBT is often used to treat patients dealing with depression, anxiety, or addiction, but it may also be used to treat symptoms of some physical conditions.
Some other methods that may be used in psychotherapy may include:
- Identifying and developing strategies for dealing with stress
- Teaching social skills by looking at interactions with others
- Relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises
- Exposure therapy, or teaching a patient to tolerate distress from outside factors by having them spend time in a controlled, supportive environment
- Analyzing the impact of certain emotions and behaviors by tracking them
- Supportive counseling, or exploring troubling issues and receiving emotional support to cope with them
- Developing a safety plan that includes recognizing warning signs and using coping strategies for those with thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Who can benefit from therapy?
Therapy can be a powerful and effective way for patients dealing with a mental health crisis to resolve problems or find relief from anxious situations. However, it’s not just for patients seeking treatment for a mental disorder. Therapy can be a useful way to teach people from all walks of life how to improve their mental wellbeing and find ways to deal with situations that can cause stress and anxiety. Perhaps most importantly, it can lead to patients being more open and honest with themselves, thereby causing them to adapt healthier habits and lifestyles.