With more people reporting feelings of hopelessness than ever due to the global pandemic, many are wondering about the different types of therapy out there that could help. If you or someone you love is in need of mental health services, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about counseling before meeting with a mental health provider to get back on track. The reality is that your mental health is one of the most valuable things you can have and taking care of your mental wellness is important. To learn more about different types of therapy that could work for you or your family, read on.
Individual Talk Therapy
The most common type of therapy is individual talk therapy. For most people, this one-on-one intervention works well to help clients talk through their mental health issues privately with a therapist. Many places offer individual therapy sessions with other types of therapy as a way of supplementing other types of programs.
For example, if you were struggling with an anxiety disorder and attending a group mental health retreat, odds are that you’d also be assigned an individual counselor to help process the work being done through the group setting. By combining individual therapy with a variety of other therapeutic modalities, clients often experience great success because individual talk therapy time with a therapist affords clients the opportunity to process their own experience with therapists serving as witnesses.
Family Therapy
Relationships are systemic. That is, we are all connected to one another. For this reason, many people opt to signs up for family therapy when there are troubles at home. Family therapy consists of a group or family system meeting with a licensed marriage and family therapist to untangle conflicts and relationships at home. Family therapy is great when combined with child therapy when a child’s behaviors are disrupting relationships and daily routines.
Family therapy isn’t reserved only for biological families either. This type of group therapy can be extended to teams, friend groups, workgroups, and extended family as well. Because the methods used by mental health professionals all center on group dynamics, people from many types of groups can often benefit from family therapy.
Behavioral Therapy
CBT therapy is one of the most common types of behavioral therapy. This type of therapy is highly structured and meant to help change behaviors like drug addiction, unhealthy compulsions, gambling, and more. People who exhibit disruptive behavior, self-harm, or unwanted patterns often do well with this therapist-driven, structured approach to the healing process. CBT therapy is usually done on an individual basis but can be used with groups as well.
Couple’s Therapy
Couple’s therapy focuses on the shared dream of two people who are experiencing problems with their primary relationship. Couples experiencing conflict often seek this type of therapy when they hit bumpy parts of their journey together. Many people believe couple’s therapy is meant to help prevent divorce, but that is not the case. A family therapist will not see a couple where domestic violence is an issue and is trained not to interject feelings on whether the couple should divorce or remain intact. Instead, therapists work to help the couple better communicate so they can make that decision on their own.
Regardless of the different ways you might go about seeking mental health services, the important thing is that your mental health needs are met. In taking the time to take care of yourself and the people you love, you’ll find that you have a better outlook and mental state in no time. Best of luck to you with meeting practitioners who can offer the best of treatment options and new skills.
