Therapy is a process of self-discovery that can help you understand yourself better and become the person you want to be. It is a great way to deal with any problems that are troubling you, from relationship issues to anxiety and addiction. A therapist is there to guide you and help you find your own solutions.
Therapists are not all created equal, however, so it’s important to do your research before sitting down on the couch for an hour or two. Whether for individual or family therapy, the key is finding the right fit that will best suit your needs. While therapy can give you a lot of benefits, it is important that you understand the different types of therapy available, and know what is right for your needs as each has its own benefits. Here are the different types of therapy you might need to know.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The goal of CBT is to help patients identify and correct negative thought patterns that may be causing them distress. The therapy helps the patient learn new skills through techniques such as journaling, role-playing, identifying problem situations, and teaching healthy coping mechanisms for those situations. This form of therapy has been proven to be effective because it presents real solutions for some of our biggest problems.
Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)
This specialized form of psychotherapy helps patients deal with emotionally painful memories that may be causing them stress or anxiety. Reach out to professionals who are specialized in EMDR Therapy Calgary if you prefer this type of therapy. EMDR can be used to treat those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as those struggling with addiction or depression.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
One of the most specialized therapies out there, DBT focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions. Based on cognitive behavioral therapy, also incorporates elements of mindfulness and acceptance into its strategies for dealing with triggers. This type of therapy is highly effective in treating conditions that are often co-occurring with problems such as addiction or depression, including borderline personality disorder
Creativity Therapies
A relatively new form of therapy, creativity therapies use different methods to help patients explore mental health issues through art-based activities like painting or writing. This type of therapy is highly effective for patients struggling with emotional regulation, self-esteem issues, or mood disorders.
Exposure Therapy
Another highly specialized therapy, this type of treatment uses exposure methods to help patients face their fears. The goal is for the patient to eventually learn how to habituate and not respond fearfully to the stimuli that trigger those emotions. Exposure therapies can be used alongside other forms of therapy or as a stand-alone treatment method.
Family Therapy
A form of psychotherapy where families work with a therapist to improve communication and relationships within the family unit. It helps strengthen bonds within the family while also allowing members who are struggling with interpersonal problems an opportunity to share their concerns openly. This type of therapy can be extremely beneficial because it’s one’s duty as a parent, child, sibling, etc., first and foremost your duty towards each other.
Psychoanalytic Therapy
This type of therapy is a talking treatment that helps patients to discover the root cause of their problems, particularly through understanding past experiences and emotions, in order to make sense of the present. It’s a great way to process what’s going on in your life and figure out why you react to certain things the way you do.
Group Therapy
In group therapy, members come together with other individuals who share a common problem or concern and work towards recovery as a team. Group therapy can be very effective because it allows patients to see that they are not alone in their struggles and provides them with support from peers while focusing on solutions rather than symptoms. Family Therapy can affect all parts of the patient’s life, helping all who are involved.
Existential Therapy
This form of therapy aims to help the individual determine what truly matters in their life by focusing on three main concepts: freedom, responsibility, and death. The goal is to encourage the patient to look within themselves to find meaning in life. Existential therapists believe that it is possible for all people to achieve this sense of existential awareness, which can be used as a source of motivation throughout their lives.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy focuses on helping patients become more “self-aware” and accepting of their emotions, family history, and upbringing. It encourages individual expression through different art activities and encourages the patient to take action on problems they have been avoiding instead of letting them fester. This method can be a useful tool for anyone who understands themselves better by understanding the influence others have had on their life.
Adlerian Therapy
If you are drawn to a holistic approach that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit connection then this type of therapy might be right for you. Instead of looking at what caused your problems in the first place, Adlerian therapists focus on understanding why you behave the way do now. With its emphasis on community and family, this therapy style is great for those looking to better understand themselves within the context of their upbringing. It’s about accepting responsibility for your own behavior and actions instead of blaming others.
Solution Focused Therapy
When you experience problems in life, it can be hard to see how they can be solved or where to start. Solution-focused therapy focuses on the future by asking the patient what they want out of their life and helping them work towards achieving their goals. The therapist is helpful in finding the tools needed to achieve these goals, but won’t waste time looking back at problems that have already occurred. This type of therapy is very empowering because there are solutions for everything when you look in the right places.
Like any therapy, it is important to find a style that suits your needs and personality in order to receive all the benefits of undergoing treatment. Choosing which type of therapy is right for you can be difficult but many types of therapy exist and therefore must have benefits that others do not.
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