Mentions of therapy are everywhere nowadays. You see ads for it online and TV and hear about it from your friends or coworkers. It can easily be overwhelming if you want to start going to therapy while you are getting all different types of therapy recommended to you from all directions. Everyone is different, and the therapy that works best for your friends or coworkers might not necessarily work for you too. So, let’s take it step by step and figure out what different types of therapies could be most beneficial for you.
One type of therapy is called cognitive behavioral treatment, or CBT. CBT focuses on changing negative though patterns in order to change the unhealthy behaviors that these thoughts cause. CBT is beneficial for individuals looking to overcome addictions or treat their anxiety, depression, and stresses. Another type of behavioral therapy is DBT, which stands for dialectical behavior therapy. DBT focuses on regulating emotions, finding healthy ways to cope with stress, and build healthier relationships with others. Those who might benefit from DBT the most are those suffering from ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
Instead of focusing on behavior, like CBT and DBT do, an individual can focus on their mental and emotional processes instead. One type of therapy that does this is psychodynamic therapy. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist may have an individual think about how your current emotions, decisions, and relationships are affected by past and present life events. This is a common treatment for those with depression.
Another option for therapy is a humanistic therapy approach. In humanistic therapy the focus is on the whole person instead of a specific collection of their behaviors. The therapist will emphasize the individuals positive behaviors and their ability to grow and heal from past experiences. Humanistic therapy benefits those with anxiety, panic disorders, depression, and those who have low self-esteem.
There are many other types of therapy that people have found useful, such as art therapy, music therapy, and horticultural therapy. It is important to keep in mind that sometimes people benefit the most from mixes of different types of therapies. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all. It is ok to “try-on” different forms of therapy until you find the one that fits you best. The most important thing is to find a therapy that makes you comfortable and benefits you.
– Haidyn Emmerich
Nourish Your Mind Blog Contributor