If you’ve looked into mental health counseling and therapy, you’ve likely come across a number of approaches mentioned like CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and others, but may not know what those acronyms mean or who they’re meant to help out. You may be wondering what therapy even is.
Psychotherapy, therapy, and counseling are generally used interchangeably. They all refer to the process of working with a clinician - counselor, marriage and family therapist, social worker, or psychologist - to address emotional challenges, mental health issues, psychological distress, or a number of other things. You may recognize the names of some of these challenges as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, PTSD, addiction, among others. Therapy is a place to address these difficulties with someone trained in talk and somatic (body-based) approaches and equipped with skills to help. Your therapist is there to help you cope, heal, and integrate your past in the present to improve your future.
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist. It varies in length and intensity depending on your needs and goals. You could compare it to working with a personal trainer or fitness coach toward health goals. Your engagement in meeting your goals has a significant impact on the outcomes you experience and some goals may take longer than others to achieve.
Many times individuals experience relief early on in the process, which reflects addressing issues closer to the surface and their symptoms. Lasting change and deeper healing require a longer commitment and engagement with the therapeutic process. Significant change occurs when the work shifts from addressing the symptoms to seeking out the root cause…. the underlying what, why, and how that lead to reaching out to a therapist in the first place. Engaging in weekly therapy for 3-6 months often allows you to peel back more layers so that you can begin working with the deeper issues.
For a more in-depth description of the process, check out this Ted Talk:
What to expect from a therapy session by Alexis Powell-Howard
Meeting with a therapist and engaging therapy can be a transformative, life-changing decision.
If you’re curious about why you might choose to try therapy, here’s another Ted Talk:
Why You Should Try Therapy Yesterday | Dr. Emily Anhalt
If you decide you are ready to try out therapy, or know already that it would likely be helpful, we’re happy to meet with you.
To let you know a bit more about the styles and approaches we use in working with people, please use the following links to the different types we generally use here at Mindful Counseling PLLC. Each link has a brief description of each approach including what it’s most frequently used for.
Our therapy practice is dedicated to providing you with a range of therapeutic options tailored to meet your individual needs and goals. Whether you are looking to build on your existing strengths with Strengths-Based Therapy or seeking quick and effective solutions with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, we are here to help guide and support you on your journey towards personal growth and well-being. Please contact us to discuss how these empowering therapies can transform your life and help you achieve your fullest potential.
