Post by Mel on Oct 10, 2006 19:25:19 GMT -5
Types of therapy
Understanding the goals and types of therapy commonly used can help you find the right therapist for yourself or a loved one.
Therapy is a verbal process to correct dysfunctional thinking and its accompanying negative feelings. It’s a collaboration between the therapist and the client. And contrary to what some people think, being in therapy doesn’t mean you’re crazy.
It’s been said that there are as many kinds of therapy as there are therapists. Although a trained counseling professional can work with a variety of treatments, there are three main types of therapy most commonly used: cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic. After the initial assessment, usually one - three sessions, the counselor will offer a fixed number of meetings, often ten. These take place in a private office, and you probably won’t be lying down on a couch but sitting in a chair facing the therapist. It might be just you, you and a significant other, or in some cases, your whole family. And depending on the therapist’s assessment, the client may be referred to a psychiatrist for medication.
A competent therapist is trained in counseling, psychology, or social work. Most states require therapists to be licensed, to reflect training, specialization (e.g., family, drug and alcohol counseling), and education. A good therapist is proud of their professional affiliations and won’t hesitate to let the client know their status. Many therapists display their diplomas in their offices. If you have any doubts, contact your local medical association.
The most common emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can be effectively treated by either cognitive or behavioral modalities. Many therapists use a combination of these two types. Cognitive therapy seeks to expose the dysfunctional thought patterns a client may be unconsciously thinking, and to restructure these thoughts into a positive frame. The assumption is that negative thoughts produce negative feelings. Cognitive treatment is the preferred therapy for depression.
In behavioral therapy, the therapist and client work to identify the triggers that cause the dysfunctional behaviors and focus on how to change the behavior. Behavioral treatment is effective for disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety, and panic disorders. Sometimes the client doesn’t need to know why they’re behaving in a particular way, but what to do to change the behavior.
Psychodynamic therapy is less interactive than cognitive or behavioral therapies. In psychodynamic therapy, a dialogue takes place, but the therapist is a “blank slate”, listening and reflecting back what the client says, while remaining nonjudgmental. The therapist does not offer advice or tell the client what to do. The therapist’s empathic listening allows the client to explore thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors without fear of judgment. Psychodynamic therapy is most successful as a long term treatment, although good results can be obtained if treatment goals are focused.
No matter what kind of therapy you opt to use, choosing a therapist is like buying a chair. If it’s not comfortable after a few sittings, it’s probably not the right chair. So, if you don’t feel comfortable with the therapist after a few sessions, this may not be the right counselor. Remember, therapy is a verbal process, and sooner or later you will be talking. But silence is also a critical part of communication. However, you have to like the therapist enough to be in the session sit when you don’t feel like talking. Let the counselor know how you’re feeling, and don’t worry about hurting their feelings. That’s what all their training is about - not to take things personally! If you can’t resolve it, ask to be referred to another counselor.
Understanding the goals and types of therapy commonly used can help you find the right therapist for yourself or a loved one.
Therapy is a verbal process to correct dysfunctional thinking and its accompanying negative feelings. It’s a collaboration between the therapist and the client. And contrary to what some people think, being in therapy doesn’t mean you’re crazy.
It’s been said that there are as many kinds of therapy as there are therapists. Although a trained counseling professional can work with a variety of treatments, there are three main types of therapy most commonly used: cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic. After the initial assessment, usually one - three sessions, the counselor will offer a fixed number of meetings, often ten. These take place in a private office, and you probably won’t be lying down on a couch but sitting in a chair facing the therapist. It might be just you, you and a significant other, or in some cases, your whole family. And depending on the therapist’s assessment, the client may be referred to a psychiatrist for medication.
A competent therapist is trained in counseling, psychology, or social work. Most states require therapists to be licensed, to reflect training, specialization (e.g., family, drug and alcohol counseling), and education. A good therapist is proud of their professional affiliations and won’t hesitate to let the client know their status. Many therapists display their diplomas in their offices. If you have any doubts, contact your local medical association.
The most common emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can be effectively treated by either cognitive or behavioral modalities. Many therapists use a combination of these two types. Cognitive therapy seeks to expose the dysfunctional thought patterns a client may be unconsciously thinking, and to restructure these thoughts into a positive frame. The assumption is that negative thoughts produce negative feelings. Cognitive treatment is the preferred therapy for depression.
In behavioral therapy, the therapist and client work to identify the triggers that cause the dysfunctional behaviors and focus on how to change the behavior. Behavioral treatment is effective for disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety, and panic disorders. Sometimes the client doesn’t need to know why they’re behaving in a particular way, but what to do to change the behavior.
Psychodynamic therapy is less interactive than cognitive or behavioral therapies. In psychodynamic therapy, a dialogue takes place, but the therapist is a “blank slate”, listening and reflecting back what the client says, while remaining nonjudgmental. The therapist does not offer advice or tell the client what to do. The therapist’s empathic listening allows the client to explore thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors without fear of judgment. Psychodynamic therapy is most successful as a long term treatment, although good results can be obtained if treatment goals are focused.
No matter what kind of therapy you opt to use, choosing a therapist is like buying a chair. If it’s not comfortable after a few sittings, it’s probably not the right chair. So, if you don’t feel comfortable with the therapist after a few sessions, this may not be the right counselor. Remember, therapy is a verbal process, and sooner or later you will be talking. But silence is also a critical part of communication. However, you have to like the therapist enough to be in the session sit when you don’t feel like talking. Let the counselor know how you’re feeling, and don’t worry about hurting their feelings. That’s what all their training is about - not to take things personally! If you can’t resolve it, ask to be referred to another counselor.