Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of TherapyTherapy TechniquesWhat Psychotherapy Can Help WithBenefits of PsychotherapyEffectiveness of PsychotherapyThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Therapy
Therapy Techniques
What Psychotherapy Can Help With
Benefits of Psychotherapy
Effectiveness of Psychotherapy
Things to Consider
How to Get Started
Close
Psychotherapyor talk therapy is a major form of mental health care. This treatment is made up of a number of interventions that relieve psychological, behavioral, and sometimes even physical conditions that affect mental well-being.
In most cases, talk therapy takes place in meetings between a patient and a mental health professional who may be apsychologist,psychiatrist,counselor, or another certified expert. These meetings usually employ a number of therapeutic techniques and approaches in an attempt to improve the patient’s quality of life.
To achieve the ultimate goal of improving the psychological, emotional, and social well-being of patients, therapists can choose different formats when conducting their sessions. These formats include:
Individual Therapy
These are one-on-one sessions where the therapist and patient navigate and hash out whatever issues may be affecting the individual.
Individual sessions can run anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more and, depending on the needs of the patient, might occur once per week, twice per week, or biweekly.
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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Group Therapy
Group therapy not only offers support but also provides the opportunity to learn strategies to manage problems from the group leaders as well as the other members of the group.
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Couples Therapy
Couples therapyhelps spouses and significant others resolve conflicts within their relationship in a healthy manner. This form of therapy also helps to improve communication within the relationship, as well as to enhance other areas of the union that may require change.
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Family Therapy
Infamily therapy, healthy interactions within the family unit are forged. This form of therapy may also be helpful for families that have experienced major changes, such as the loss of a family member, or who have a sibling or parent who may require additional care due to an illness. Family therapy looks to encourage healthy understanding and communication between members and improve inter-family relationships.
With more than one in five adults in the United States living with a mental illness, specific types of talk therapy may be required to manage and cater to each person’s unique problems.The approach used may depend on the condition being treated, as well as the expertise of the mental health professional. The American Psychological Association classifies these approaches into five broad categories:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapyoften uses the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client as a way to explore and change patient’s problematic ways of reasoning, feeling, or behaving. This might look like the therapist modeling an outside relationship or letting the client work through difficult emotions with the therapist as a guide.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapyadopts a number of techniques to help with identifying and changing negative or self-destructive behaviors in patients. This form of therapy is problem-focused, which means the goal of therapy is to identify tangible issues in the person’s life and actively fix them.
It also focuses on the influence of different types of learning and conditioning on a patient’s behaviors. In behavioral therapy, the client will learn to identify triggers and alter their behavior accordingly so that they are no longer acting out unhelpful or harmful actions in their lives.
Cognitive Therapy
This form of therapy emphasizes the examination and change of the patient’s thought patterns.
Cognitive therapylooks to change negative and dysfunctional ways of thinking to avoid negative and dysfunctional ways of acting. By modifying these thoughts, patients can change how they feel about certain situations in their lives that usually trigger them or result in harmful outcomes. This identification and shift of negative thoughts can then help them act in healthier ways.
Cognitive therapy is often combined with behavioral approaches, such as incognitive behavioral therapy(CBT). In this approach, an examination of negative or harmful thinking is supposed to lead to positive changes in behavior.
Humanistic Therapy
At the core ofhumanistic therapyis the idea that people have the capacity to reach their full potential through proper nurturing, and its main tenet is that people are the experts in their own lives. Therefore, humanistic therapy is person-centered and focused on the individual’s thoughts, beliefs, and goals.
This form of therapy may focus on a patient’s search for a sense of meaning in life and may be an approach to take when searching for self-actualization, or the ability to recognize their full potential.
Integrative Therapy
Because therapists are ultimately interested in producing the best results for their clients, they may sometimes merge different approaches to psychotherapy, called “integrative” therapy because it integrates multiple therapeutic techniques. This is usually to produce a tailor-made technique for tackling whatever difficulty a client may be facing.
Integrative or eclectic therapytakes the required elements of different therapeutic techniques, and combines them into a holistic approach for the client.
Whether combined with medication or used as a solo treatment, psychotherapy is often recommended as an effective way to manage and improve the symptoms of mental health conditions such as:
Psychotherapy may also be effective in helping with personal and emotional growth, and improving coping, self-esteem, and relationships.
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Psychotherapy is often praised as an effective treatment method for a number of reasons. Some of these include the following:
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Whether used for managing mental health conditions or as a method of improving the quality of life, psychotherapy has been found effective in the following ways:
Your mental health is an important part of your well-being at any stage of your life. This is why therapy is an advisable option to improve your psychological well-being from childhood all the way to old age. However, there are particular instances where going to therapy becomes especially important. These include:
For children, it may be wise for them to attend therapy when they exhibit traits that interfere with their school life or interaction with family and their peers.
If the benefits of therapy might be worthwhile to your present circumstances or any challenges you are facing, there are a few things you need to know about the journey you are about to begin.
Where to Find a Therapist
You could also use an online therapy directory to search for a provider in your area who fits your specific needs, or you could turn to an online therapy company for easy access to a therapist.
There are currently many options online, but verifying a clinician’s credentials and trusting your intuition on the match is important. It might take you a few tries to find the right therapist for you; know that this is normal and that finding a therapist with whom you connect is very important.
What to Expect on the First Appointment
After identifying likely candidates for your choice of therapist, a preliminary conversation can give an idea of their qualifications, the style of treatment they will likely adopt, and how easily trust and comfort are established with that therapist. If you find that you struggle with being at ease with a candidate, you can always skip them for someone better suited.
At your first appointment with your therapist, they will ask you about your mental health history, what brought you to therapy, and what you would like to accomplish while working with them. Be open and honest so that they know how best to help you.
Questions to Ask the Therapist
While speaking with a prospective choice, there are a number of questions you can ask to make sure their methods align with your expectations. They include:
Of course you can ask any questions you might have, but these can provide a useful framework for your treatment.
You should also know that beyond physical meetings, there are measures such as telephone, internet, and mobile services to help with treatments for mental health. These are especially useful in areas where mental health professionals are scarce, in what are known astherapy deserts.
Similar lines of questioning may be adopted in these cases. However, you should know that this form of treatment may not be as effective for some people as in-person consultations, especially for those living with more serious mental health conditions.
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8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Apa.org (2019, October 31)Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapyU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-c).Mental illness.National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illnessApa.org (2009)Different approaches to psychotherapyHarvey AG, Gumport NB.Evidence-based psychological treatments for mental disorders: modifiable barriers to access and possible solutions.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.02.004Wampold BE.How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(3):270-277. doi:10.1002/wps.20238Fansi A, Jehanno C, Lapalme M, Drapeau M, Bouchard S.Efficacité de la psychothérapie comparativement à la pharmacothérapie dans le traitement des troubles anxieux et dépressifs chez l’adulte : une revue de la littérature [Effectiveness of psychotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in adults: A literature review]. Sante Ment Que. 2015;40(4):141-173.Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Nimh (n.d)Psychotherapies
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Apa.org (2019, October 31)Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapyU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-c).Mental illness.National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illnessApa.org (2009)Different approaches to psychotherapyHarvey AG, Gumport NB.Evidence-based psychological treatments for mental disorders: modifiable barriers to access and possible solutions.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.02.004Wampold BE.How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(3):270-277. doi:10.1002/wps.20238Fansi A, Jehanno C, Lapalme M, Drapeau M, Bouchard S.Efficacité de la psychothérapie comparativement à la pharmacothérapie dans le traitement des troubles anxieux et dépressifs chez l’adulte : une revue de la littérature [Effectiveness of psychotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in adults: A literature review]. Sante Ment Que. 2015;40(4):141-173.Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Nimh (n.d)Psychotherapies
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Apa.org (2019, October 31)Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapyU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-c).Mental illness.National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illnessApa.org (2009)Different approaches to psychotherapyHarvey AG, Gumport NB.Evidence-based psychological treatments for mental disorders: modifiable barriers to access and possible solutions.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.02.004Wampold BE.How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(3):270-277. doi:10.1002/wps.20238Fansi A, Jehanno C, Lapalme M, Drapeau M, Bouchard S.Efficacité de la psychothérapie comparativement à la pharmacothérapie dans le traitement des troubles anxieux et dépressifs chez l’adulte : une revue de la littérature [Effectiveness of psychotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in adults: A literature review]. Sante Ment Que. 2015;40(4):141-173.Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1Nimh (n.d)Psychotherapies
Apa.org (2019, October 31)Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-c).Mental illness.National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
Apa.org (2009)Different approaches to psychotherapy
Harvey AG, Gumport NB.Evidence-based psychological treatments for mental disorders: modifiable barriers to access and possible solutions.Behav Res Ther. 2015;68:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.02.004
Wampold BE.How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(3):270-277. doi:10.1002/wps.20238
Fansi A, Jehanno C, Lapalme M, Drapeau M, Bouchard S.Efficacité de la psychothérapie comparativement à la pharmacothérapie dans le traitement des troubles anxieux et dépressifs chez l’adulte : une revue de la littérature [Effectiveness of psychotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in adults: A literature review]. Sante Ment Que. 2015;40(4):141-173.
Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
Nimh (n.d)Psychotherapies
Hannah Owens, LMSW
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