What is Talk Therapy?
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, refers to the different forms of mental health treatments where a client speaks to a psychotherapist or therapist to better understand, work through and overcome some of the challenges and difficulties that they face in their lives.
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In therapy, the relationship between client and therapist is paramount in setting the foundation for a successful outcome, so it is important to find a therapist who feels like a good fit, in terms of feeling safe, understood, and connected.
Therapy is a powerful way to help with a range of mental health problems, ranging from depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, relationship conflict, trauma, and insomnia. In recent years, telehealth or telemental health services are making it easier for those that wish to seek help do so more easily through video or phone-based online counseling. Talk therapy can be incredibly effective to help manage mental health and to learn practical coping strategies and skills to achieve long-term mental wellbeing. It’s worth it even if you don’t suffer from a severe mental illness.
What happens in therapy?
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During therapy sessions, the therapist may ask the client questions about their childhood, life circumstances, behaviours, beliefs, habits, emotions, moods, thoughts, fears, desires, and relationships. These questions are designed to help the client open up and speak as freely as possible and enable therapist and client to work together to better understand the client’s current symptoms and stressors, relationship patterns, core beliefs, and the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and develop healthy coping strategies in order to make positive changes in their lives. Many new to therapy may find it to be intimidating to talk to a therapist about their problems, it’s important to first know what to expect in therapy to maximize its benefits.
“Each session is, essentially, a problem-solving session. You describe your current situation, and your feelings about it, and then the therapist uses their expertise to assist you in trying to resolve that problem so you can move closer to having the life you wish to have.”
What mental health problems can talk therapy address?
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Talk therapy is helpful for a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress, grief, eating disorders, and substance or behavioural addictions. It may sometimes be recommended by mental health professionals for talk therapy to be used in conjunction with psychiatric medication for treatment of certain mental illnesses – such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Talk therapy can also benefit clients who have not been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Talk therapy is effective in helping with relationship problems, such as marital or family conflicts, childhood learning difficulties or the management of chronic or life-threatening illnesses and pain for both the patient and caregivers.
It can also help to assist clients during major life transitions or crises or to help those who are simply overwhelmed with the struggles of day to day living.
What are the different types of psychological approaches?
There are several different types of therapy, but approaches to psychotherapy or talk therapy tend to fall under these broad categories:
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapy
Originating from the teachings of Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, though has been extended and modified since his early formulations, this approach is based on the belief that our unconscious thoughts, feelings, desires, and memories have a powerful influence on our attitudes, behaviors, and psychological health. The psychoanalyst’s goal is to help their client become aware of their unconscious motivations and fears, gain insight and release repressed emotions and work through these painful emotions in order to heal from past experiences.
Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Behavioral therapy looks at how learned behaviors and possible environmental influences contribute to the development of both normal and maladaptive behaviours. Behavioral therapists look at their client’s current problems and help them to change behaviors that are maladaptive, destructive or unhealthy.
Cognitive therapy focuses on the way people think rather than their actions. Cognitive therapists believe that unhelpful thinking patterns affect emotions and behaviours, so they work to help their clients change their thought patterns, beliefs, and attitudes.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is a commonly used approach that combines both the behavioural and cognitive approaches to help clients improve their mental health. This approach looks at core beliefs and the interconnection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns (cognitive distortions) and behaviours.
Humanistic Therapy
The humanistic approach helps clients to identify their true values and beliefs so they can lead authentic, meaningful and fulfilling lives by honouring their individuality and unique life circumstances. Humanistic therapists work from the belief that people are essentially good and capable of making the right decisions for themselves. Therapists recognize clients’ positive attributes and support clients towards achieving self-actualisation.
Integrative Therapy
Many therapists use a combination of psychoanalysis, cognitive, behavioral and humanistic approaches in their work to cater to their client’s individual needs. The integrative approach is also useful in addressing specific problems that arise at different stages of the client’s treatment.
Goals of talk therapy
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Through multiple sessions of talk therapy, the therapist and client may work together to identify certain beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours preventing the client from experiencing psychological health and leading a fulfilling, well-balanced life.
Often, the therapist will suggest more effective ways that the client can respond to the challenges they face in their relationships, work and other aspects of their lives.
Talk therapy usually increases a client’s level of self-awareness. As the client’s self-awareness improves, they become better able to identify and monitor their unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns. This, in turn, helps them to develop an internal feedback loop, which empowers them to make positive changes in their lives. It’s important to be prepared to do the inner work in therapy and to communicate well with your therapist about your needs, preferences and goals. Choosing the right therapist that makes you feel comfortable can have a huge impact on the success in therapy.
Benefits of talk therapy
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Through talk therapy, the client learns how to stop engaging in debilitating thought and behavior patterns
Clients learn healthier strategies to cope with or overcome the challenges they face and begin to apply these new strategies to their lives.
Over time, talk therapy can help alleviate the client’s symptoms and improve their overall wellbeing
Clients develop greater self-awareness and insight into thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
Clients learn to identify and process difficult and painful emotions and experiences in order to heal
Common Care provides a full-service online therapy platform with the largest selection of qualified online therapists. After completing an initial intake assessment, we recommend suitable therapists based on your needs, preferences and goals in therapy. Begin therapy anytime, anywhere at affordable prices.
Sources:
“Humanistic Psychotherapy.” Mental Help Humanistic Psychotherapy Comments, www.mentalhelp.net/psychotherapy/humanistic/.
Pathak, Neha. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Negative Thinking & Depression.” WebMD, WebMD, 9 Feb. 2018, www.webmd.com/depression/guide/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-depression#1.
Miller, N S, and J L Katz. “The Neurological Legacy of Psychoanalysis: Freud as a Neurologist.” Comprehensive Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1989, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2646065.