Therapy is an incredibly valuable mental health tool. Regardless of why you choose to engage in any type of therapy, it has many short and long-term benefits.
Why Seek Therapy?
People seek therapy for many reasons, from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety to stress management and bereavement. Some people assume that therapy is reserved for people who have experienced severe trauma such as childhood abuse, sexual assault, or war; however, many seek therapy to help manage the challenges of daily life.
Therapy can help to address:
- Relationship issues
- Family dynamics
- Major illness
- Life changes
- Stressful events
People can be unsure about seeking help as they may not think their issues are ‘bad enough’. However, having someone to speak with can be hugely beneficial, so attending a few sessions to see how it can benefit you is a good idea.
Types of Therapy
There are many types of therapy options available. Each is unique and can be used to treat a variety of different issues. Forms of treatment you can choose from include:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) – CBT helps people to identify their negative thought patterns and helps to change thinking and behaviour. It is one of the most common forms of therapy and can effectively treat conditions such as depression and anxiety. CBT can empower people by teaching them new, healthier behaviours and responses.
- Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) – based on CBT, DBT can help people with emotional regulation. It focuses on helping people to accept and then change their behaviour for the better and teaches skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and communication.
- Psychodynamic therapy – this form of therapy looks at how people respond to forces such as conflict or defences. It looks at the emotional impact of childhood development and emphasises the importance of understanding oneself. Psychodynamic therapy can be used to treat eating disorders and personality disorders.
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) – EMDR therapy helps people reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation, which can come in the form of specific eye movements or tapping. It helps the brain to think differently about past events, which can change how the person reacts in the present. Unlike many other forms of therapy, EMDR does not require much talking, making it useful for those who have difficulty verbalising their experiences.
Many people attend individual therapy, but there is also the option to participate in family or couples therapy. Involving loved ones in treatment can help strengthen relationships, solve challenging issues, and restore intimacy.
The Benefits of Therapy
Most people who attend therapy see many benefits from it; however, the speed with which you see results will depend on the type of treatment you receive. Some assume the benefits and changes of treatment will be instant; however, it can take several sessions to see a marked difference.
For example, you may attend anywhere from six to twenty-four sessions of CBT, and see benefits at any point during those sessions. With other forms of therapy, such as EMDR, it can take a shorter time to see results, ranging from around three to twelve sessions.
Some benefits of therapy include:
- Improved self-esteem
- Better communication skills
- Improved relationships
- Improved physical health, such as reduced muscle tension
- Development of healthy coping skills
- Decreased symptoms of mental health conditions
- Better identification of triggers
- Access to beneficial, positive support
Therapy also provides new insights into how your past has influenced your present or how negative thought patterns can be harmful. As you progress through treatment sessions, therapists can provide tools to change these thought processes, helping you make healthier, happier decisions in the future.
Another crucial part of therapy is finding the root cause of mental health conditions. This could be anything from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to unresolved trauma and can help people change their core beliefs for the better.
Therapy is becoming increasingly accessible. Sessions no longer have to take place face to face, and many providers offer online therapy, giving you more freedom to choose when your sessions are and providing a wider range of practitioners to choose from. There is a myth that online treatment is not as effective as therapy that takes place face-to-face, but this is false, and studies have shown that it is equally as effective.[1]
Complementary Therapy
Talk therapies are not the only route to healing. There are many other complementary therapies that people choose to undertake alongside traditional therapy, which can aid the healing process and provide even more benefits. These include:
- Art therapy – art therapy provides an outlet for people to express their emotions without the need for words. It can help to improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as significantly reduce stress.
- Animal therapy – also known as animal-assisted therapy, this form of therapy can treat both physical and mental health conditions. Animals such as cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, and even reptiles can be used in animal-assisted therapy.
- Yoga – while not a therapy on its own, yoga is often incorporated into many mental health treatment plans. Yoga uses breathing and meditation practices to help calm the mind, which helps to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Complementary therapies have many benefits alongside traditional therapy, helping to boost positivity and mood and promote relaxation. You may also hear complementary therapies referred to as alternative therapies, but there is a distinction between the two – complementary therapies are used alongside traditional therapies, and alternative therapies are used instead of conventional therapy.
Conclusion
Therapy is a cornerstone of mental health treatment that offers many benefits. Many that attend therapy reap the rewards, but it can be challenging to know where to start. Contact Vitalis Wellbeing today to learn more about our custom-made treatment plans and therapeutic services.
Sources:
[1] Wagner, Birgit et al. “Internet-Based Versus Face-To-Face Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention For Depression: A Randomized Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial”. Journal Of Affective Disorders, 152-154, 2014, pp. 113-121. Elsevier BV, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.06.032. Accessed 7 June 2022.
