Mental Health

Psychotherapy: How It Works, Types, & Benefits

By November 1, 2021 No Comments

HOW IT WORKS, TYPES, & BENEFITSNearly one in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition. Ranging from mild to severe, these mental illnesses can be debilitating for the people that suffer from them, especially for those who don’t receive help. 

Keep reading to learn more about psychotherapy and how it can help. 

What Is Psychotherapy? 

Also called talk therapy, psychotherapy is a way to help people with a wide variety of mental health conditions or emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy aims to treat the symptoms and resolve the challenges presented by mental illnesses and can be used alone or alongside medication. 

Psychotherapy is similar to counseling, but it tends to look deeper into the cause of the issue. This helps people learn more about their condition, themselves, their goals, and how to develop healthy coping mechanisms. 

Types of Psychotherapy 

We offer several types of psychotherapy at Lifeworks Counseling Center. This includes: 

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people identify their harmful thoughts and behaviors and works to replace them with healthier and more functional alternatives. CBT is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma-related disorders. 
  • Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is very similar to CBT in that it works to help people realize and change their irrational thoughts and behaviors. The difference is that REBT emphasizes acceptance—unconditional self-acceptance
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specific type of CBT that focuses on emotional regulation. It teaches people the behavioral skills they need to manage stress better and develop healthy interpersonal relationships. It is often used in the treatment of chronic suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, etc. 
  • Psychodynamic therapy is built on the idea that mental well-being is based on childhood experiences and unconscious feelings. It works to make the individual more aware of their unconscious thoughts and behaviors so they can change old patterns and regain control over their life. 
  • Play therapy is a form of therapy primarily used for children since they may not have the emotional abilities to articulate their thoughts and feelings. A trained therapist will observe the child as they play and help them explore their emotions, gain insight, learn new coping mechanisms, and deal with unresolved trauma. 

Benefits of Psychotherapy 

75% of people who undergo psychotherapy show relief from symptoms and are better able to function in their lives. Psychotherapy can help:

  • Treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, addiction, personality disorders, and more. 
  • Resolve interpersonal conflicts—such as with a partner, family member, or colleague. 
  • Cope with major life events like the death of a family member, divorce, loss of a job, etc. 
  • Recover from trauma, either from being a victim of abuse or witnessing violence.
  • Learn to manage emotional outbursts from anger management problems or road rage, for example. 
  • Battle insomnia by resolving problems and developing healthy sleep patterns. 

At Lifeworks Counseling Center, we believe that every person has the right to live well. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition, substance abuse, or another issue, know that help is available. We’d love to help you lead a better life, contact us today to learn how we can support you on your journey to better wellbeing. 

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