What Therapy Is, How It Works, and How It Can Help Your Mental Health
Mariella Arceo
Sep 06, 2022
If you're like most people, you probably think of therapy as a last resort. You only go to therapy if everything else has failed and you're at your wit's end. But what if we told you that therapy could be the first step on the road to recovery? That it could help you deal with your mental health issues before they get out of hand? In this blog post, we will discuss what therapy is, how it works and how it can help improve your mental health!
What is therapy?
Psychotherapy, or therapy, is a process of self-exploration and discovery. It creates a supportive environment where clients can talk about their thoughts in an open and honest manner. It is a way to understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviors in order to make changes in your mental health and in the long run, your life.
Therapy is facilitated by a trained mental health professional and can be done with an individual, family members or a group. It can also be done in person, over the phone or online and can be short-term or long-term.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process; there are many types of psychotherapy, all of which can be adjusted to fit a client's goals and needs. Types of therapy may include group therapy, supportive psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, to name a few.
Therapy does not choose nor does it discriminate; it is available for all ages who need help with mental health, emotional health, emotional distress and other conflicts.
How does therapy work?
Therapy works by helping the patient to understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The therapist will help the patient to identify negative thought patterns and beliefs that are causing them distress. Together, they will work on changing these negative thoughts and beliefs into more positive ones. The therapist will also teach the patient new communication skills and coping strategies to help them deal with difficult situations.
Therapy is a collaboration between the client and the therapist; the success of therapy sessions rely on each other's trust, honesty and cooperation.
What happens during a therapy session?
In a nutshell, each session is a problem-solving session. You explain your present situation and feelings about it to the therapist, after which he or she uses their experience to help you attempt to solve the issue so that you may get closer to having the life you desire.
During a therapy session, you will talk with your therapist about what is going on in your life and how you are feeling. You will also work together to set goals for therapy and create a plan to achieve those goals. The therapist will help you to understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that you can make positive changes in your life.
The first session is about establishing a client-therapist relationship. Your therapist will invite you to talk about what is bothering you or anything that you would like to work on in therapy. This is a special conversation between you and your therapist as you are free to talk about anything you like with full honesty; anything you want or need to say is alright.
Your therapist can also give you "homework," to complete after therapy sessions; something that you can work on by yourself. During the next session, you can discuss your progress with your therapist, your thoughts, and areas you might have struggled with.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy is whatever a client needs it to be - one session, a few sessions a couple of times a week, etc. Sometimes, therapy can just be an honest, brave conversation.
It all depends on what the client's goals are and their comfort to proceed and follow through with their therapist.
Why can't I just see friends or family members?
Sharing your thoughts and troubles to those in your circle is completely valid, especially if you feel more comfortable as these are people you already know and trust. Their insight can be helpful, however, they may not always be objective as personal biases can get in the way.
This is why working with a therapist may be so helpful. It's an opportunity to express everything you're thinking and feeling, as well as what you want to create, without being interrupted, forced to worry about other people's concerns or told that you're "wrong" or "cannot."
A therapy session is a place where you don't have to worry about hurting someone else's feelings—you can be completely honest. It also implies that you'll be able to solve difficulties more quickly and successfully in the long term. In the end, it's better for you, as well as everyone else involved in your life.
How do I choose the right therapist for me?
Choosing the right therapist is just like choosing any other service provider. It is a good idea to do research - visit their web site, do a quick search on the internet, and ask friends and family for recommendations.
There are therapists with specialized training in certain areas. For example, there are marriage and family therapists who specialize in dealing with marital and familial concerns. With the right research, you will be able to find a trained professional who can cater to your needs and make you feel comfortable to work on your goals.
Do I have to be "sick" to see a therapist?
A stigma surrounding therapy sessions is that it's for mentally disturbed individuals, or "crazy" people. This could not be any further from the truth.
Therapy is for anyone and everyone that needs emotional support, new coping skills, interpersonal skills, assistance coping with everyday life, etc. It is for anyone that is seeking treatment and needs someone to talk in a safe, judgement-free space.
There is no set criteria for people to attend therapy; you can seek help from mental health professionals for the betterment of your peace and mental health.
So as you can see, therapy sessions are whatever it is the client needs it to be. Rest assured that after therapy, you will be a healthier individual with a more positive mental health and a better sense of self awareness.
If you or anyone you know is looking to start therapy, do not hesitate to get connected with us. Mosaic Minds Counseling is here for you.Â