What Type of Therapy is Right for You?

What Type of Therapy is Right for You?

So you're in need of some perspective and safety right now. Recognizing your needs is a significant step, so kudos for reaching out for assistance. This article is here to help you find the right kind of therapy, even though it might be hard.

Therapy is about much more than the analysis of disorders or behaviors. What you’re looking for is relief. So, prepare yourself now for crossroads, increased discomfort, new ideas and perhaps the most difficult … being seen. The techniques that are used today in therapy have been influential for many people that need them. But, this process is not as much about what is wrong. It’s about perspective. Even if you go to the doctor and they tell you that you have a virus that cannot be treated with an antibiotic, they will tell you how to treat the symptoms and the discomfort. At Solstice Pacific, that’s what we do. We help you pencil a map to relief and with each turn and adjustment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing (EMDR) or play therapy increase your awareness. Individually and in group work, therapy helps you become whole. There is no human being that is not complex and in need of a map, intrapersonal and interpersonal unconditional positive regard or space to explore ideas, goals and emotions.

First of all, what is therapy?

When we refer to therapy in this situation, we are actually referring to psychotherapy. According to the American Psychiatric Association, psychotherapy is the treatment or management of mental health issues, disorders, and general mental health maintenance on a one-on-one basis. Psychotherapy, often known as talk therapy, can help those who are suffering from mental illnesses or emotional problems. It can help people cope with their symptoms and operate better in their daily lives. Many people seek help from a mental health professional for a specific mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or addiction, but therapy is beneficial for anyone. There are many different types of therapy that can help people with everything from relationships to grief to work stress to existential crises to personal growth. 

There are no limits on what you can achieve in life when you have the humility to receive help and to increase self-awareness.

Both children and adults benefit from therapy, which can be done in an individual, family, couple, or group context. Sessions are usually held once a week for 30 to 50 minutes. In psychotherapy, both the patient and the therapist must be actively involved. Working together efficiently and benefiting from psychotherapy requires a person's trust in and relationship with his or her therapist.

What are the different types of therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Depression, anxiety, rage, marital conflict, loneliness, panic, phobias, eating disorders, substance addiction, alcohol misuse and dependency, and personality difficulties are all treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is a relatively short-term, targeted psychotherapy. However, according to research, CBT is most effective in treating anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress. Therapy is used to change the negative way a client views themselves and the world around them. Changing their thought process, behavior that follows their thoughts, and how they respond to negative stimuli is restructured by identifying any distress that has unfolded. The therapist acts as a guide through their client’s internal pain to provide relief from the anguish. Rather than focusing on your early childhood experiences, this treatment focuses on how you think, behave, and communicate today. The therapist helps the patient uncover particular thought distortions and biases (via cognitive evaluation) and gives advice on how to alter them. The main goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to give the person a new way to change their mood and outlook so that their life expectations will be met.

Cognitive therapy teaches patients practical self-help strategies that they may apply in homework assignments to help them modify the way they think, feel, and act now. Cognitive-behavioral therapy that is action-oriented, practical, and reasonable helps patients become more independent and effective in real-life situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on striking a balance between accepting where a person is now and pushing for change in order to assist the individual have more productive relationships and control their emotions. The term "dialectical" refers to a philosophy in which seemingly contradictory ideas may coexist. We're always juggling wants, ideals, and concepts that appear to be diametrically opposed. The goal is to discover a common ground between these disparate beliefs.

DBT was created to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it has now been used to treat a variety of other mental illnesses. According to research, it can help persons who have trouble regulating their emotions or who engage in self-destructive behavior (such as eating disorders and substance use disorders). Post-traumatic stress disorder is sometimes treated with this form of therapy (PTSD).

Skills training, which involves the teaching and use of skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance, is an important part of dialectical behavior therapy. People with a variety of mental health issues can benefit from DBT's skills training and therapy methodology. Mindfulness practice improves well-being, attention to the present moment, and increases good emotional experiences while lowering negative emotions and suffering in those with and without mental health disorders. This is why persons suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental illnesses may benefit from mindfulness practice and other skills of dialectical behavior therapy.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy, which focuses on people's strengths, can help them achieve their objectives and feel more fulfilled in life. It is less concerned with addressing symptoms and issues. Patients who participate in humanistic therapy are more likely to exhibit some improvement over time, according to research.

Staying in the present moment is the goal of humanistic therapy, while focusing on how a client’s individual feelings can help them to gain an understanding of the meaning of life. It can be important for people to have a better relationship with themselves in order to have a subjective existence that can help them figure out what works best for them.

Sessions are less organized than other treatments, making them ideal for those who want to talk about existential or big-picture themes. It can assist you in comprehending your worldview and achieving real self-acceptance. People who have low self-esteem, problems with their relationships, depression, or anxiety might benefit from humanistic therapy, but it might not be right for them.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic treatment is founded on the premise that childhood events and improper recurrent thoughts or sentiments that are unconscious (outside of the person's awareness) impact behavior and mental well-being. Psychodynamic therapy holds that the events of your past have shaped your present. All of your prior experiences have shaped who you are today. Your psychodynamic therapist will, of course, hear about the difficulties you're having right now in your life. But, together, you'll look for the source of your current problems in your history. A person works with a therapist to develop self-awareness and modify old patterns so that he or she may better control his or her life.

Psychodynamic treatment, according to studies, is most effective when used over time to address complex diseases that appear as a combination of syndromal and spectral-level issues. It may, however, be used to treat various forms of mental illnesses. 

In open-ended therapy, you continue to work with your therapist until you decide to leave or until your therapist determines that you are ready to stop. Psychodynamic treatment is also long-term since it is profound work that goes back through your entire existence.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

The therapeutic model EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was designed to address complicated trauma. Since then, it's been utilized to treat a variety of different mental health problems. This therapeutic method is founded on the concept that traumatic memories, unpleasant life experiences, or harmful ideas can become trapped in a person's mind, causing emotional misery when they are recalled. "I know it's already in the past, but my body behaves as if it's still occurring", people often say.

The nervous system functions to help you keep safe from dangerous situations. It typically succeeds, however after a traumatic event or another bad life experience, the nervous system might become easily aroused even after the threat has passed. EMDR treatment uses alternating left-right (bilateral) stimulation to help you process these experiences (eye movements, tapping or audio stimulation). According to research, EMDR is most beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, subjective distress, and paranoid thoughts.  While the therapist gently helps you focus on the distressing memory, you will be stimulated. This method is said to tap into your body's innate ability to repair itself, lessening the emotional burden of the trauma.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy is a school of thought in treatment that tries to treat a person as a whole person rather than as someone who is sick, just has psychological disorders, or who is broken down into distinct parts. Holistic treatment aims to treat the whole person, including their mind, spirit, and body.

What makes holistic therapy so innovative is that there are many different types of holistic therapy for different needs. Yoga, art therapy, equestrian therapy, and mindfulness are just a few that can cater to someone’s individualistic needs. Your map to symptom relief needs to be comprehensive, not just one street or two.

How do you decide what form of therapy is best for you?

What you want to get out of therapy is the most crucial question to ask yourself. That response might be as basic as "I want to feel better," but being able to discuss it with a possible therapist will help you both evaluate what symptoms need relief first. Like the virus, behavioral health disorders and changes in mood or personality cannot be “fixed.” The process takes time that helps you tune into how your body is feeling then respond to it with compassion.

Ask yourself:

  • How am I distracting myself? When? Why?
  • What would I like to change?
  • What is preventing me from making that change?
  • How structured do I want my sessions to be?

Therapy should be an open channel of communication and some of that starts with just understanding the above answers, not researching disorders. You'll build the basis for what you want to work on in your first session. If anything doesn't seem right, don't be scared to speak out, and if something doesn't feel right, you're under no obligation to continue seeing someone. While therapy may not always feel great, it should always feel safe and secure.

It's critical to find the correct form of therapy for long-term rehabilitation. Most individuals shudder at the prospect of therapy, despite the fact that it has a demonstrated track record of giving the required healing to keep going. Remember that treatment is hard work, but it is beneficial. It’s ok for it to feel hard, even annoying. Think about ignoring a wound for a long time. It worsens. Then, it heals with cleaning, salve and time.  

If you are interested in attending your first therapy session at Solstice Pacific and learning which treatment is suitable for you, do not hesitate to contact us at. We need to get to know you better first, so please complete this evaluation and verify your insurance. Solstice Pacific utilizes all of the above therapies in individual care, family care, and in the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient clinic services.

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