If you’ve started to consider therapy, congratulations: you’ve just overcome one of the most difficult steps of healing. Having the courage to ask for help should not be taken lightly, and many folks don’t make it this far!
There are several different forms of therapy out there. Whether you’re dealing with depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another mental health issue, there is something for everyone.
This article outlines the most common forms of therapy, including outpatient therapy, group therapy, anger management, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Let’s take a closer look at each.
Outpatient Therapy
If you’re struggling with addiction, in particular, you may be scared to seek help because you don’t want to be forced into an in-patient therapy program. These types of programs involve living in a hospital or residential care facility. While in-patient therapy definitely has its advantages, not everyone can take a break from their day-to-day life to heal. This is where outpatient therapy comes in!
Outpatient therapy is accessible, flexible, and affordable. You can participate in one-on-one sessions as well as group therapy. Perhaps best of all, you’ll be able to live in your own home as you work through your recovery.
As you likely already know, relapse is quite common during the first year of recovery. With outpatient therapy, you’ll have a place to go if you ever feel like slipping which will help make you stronger and more resilient to temptation.
Group Therapy
You may not be too keen on group therapy, but hear us out. While you should always start with individual therapy, supplementing it with group sessions can be very beneficial — especially if you’re struggling with addiction.
Receiving support from other people who are going through the same things that you are can help you feel less alone. It can also help you gain perspective and will allow you to experience communal healing. It’s a place to share without judgment. The accountability factor should not be dismissed either: you’re more likely to show up to group therapy if you know your fellow participants rely on you.
Additionally, group therapy is a wonderful place to learn more about empathy. Empathy is a major part of the healing process and will teach you to look outside of yourself. It will help you think more about how your actions affect others, another crucial step to overcoming addiction.
Anger Management
In addition to depression, anxiety, and addiction, many people seek out treatment for issues with anger. If you struggle with anger, loved ones may have suggested that you seek treatment, or you may have found yourself in a situation with the law that requires you to get treated. No matter what prompted you to admit that you need help, anger management therapy can work wonders.
Anger management in and of itself is a method for reducing anger and the secondary emotions it can cause. Therapy techniques around anger can vary, and there are specific treatment programs that center around it. The key thread is this: anger management therapy will help you change the way you react in stressful and challenging situations.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is another form of therapy that is beneficial for those who struggle with addiction or substance abuse. It involves identifying and internalizing your deepest motivations and values in order to help with personal issues and challenges. MI can help with your confidence and self-sufficiency and will aid in reaching your full potential.
You’ll work with a licensed professional to discover your motivations and determine your ideal life. Once you’ve nailed down exactly what you’d like to achieve in the near future, your therapist will work with you to help create a better environment for yourself that doesn’t include harmful substances. When you know the type of life you’d like to have, you’ll be better equipt to make it happen!
Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
If you’ve ever struggled with negativity and the slew of emotions that come along with it, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can be very useful. Negativity can cause issues like anger, unresolved trauma, stress, addiction, and mental illness. Through DBT, you’ll learn how to better deal with your emotions through emotional management skills. This involves managing your thoughts and learning the best ways to react in stressful situations.
DBT uses powerful exercising that will teach you healthy coping techniques. You’ll gain a greater understanding of your particular reactions, thoughts, and emotions so that you can better monitor them. This is done through one-on-one sessions, group therapy, and sometimes a combination of both.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Another powerful form of treatment for negativity and the issues that it can cause is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It will teach you how to change negative thought patterns into more positive ones. This will go a long way to gaining control over your emotional reactions.
Not only can CBT work for those with a substance abuse problem, but it can also address mental illness, depression, anxiety, stress, anxiety, and anger, among other things. It can even assist folks who are working through processing trauma. It teaches healthy coping skills as well.
CBT involves learning coping techniques that will help you assess your thoughts and emotions. Many folks have a tendency to act and then think, and CBT will show you how to turn this around so that you think before you react. This is crucial for people who want to gain more control over their anger, stress, and anxiety. It will teach you to distance yourself from any harmful inner monologues you may have. Quite simply, it will show you how to be kinder to yourself.
All of the types of therapy above can help with many different types of mental illnesses, including stress, depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Don’t underestimate the power of working with a trained professional. Everyone needs a helping hand now and again, and there is no shame in seeking assistance.
There is great power and value in using group therapy to treat substance abuse and addiction. The shared human experience of a collective creates an opportunity to learn empathy and compassion for others. Your healing is magnified by the experiences and inspiration of listening and healing along with other human beings. At Promising Outlook, we focus on group therapy because we know that healing collectively is healing powerfully. We offer learning and therapy in a group environment in addition to your individual therapy plan because we know that not only can you benefit from others, but your experience is also important in the healing of others. Call us at (951) 783-2487 today to learn more about collective and individual healing. Find your voice by listening to others. Share your experiences so others can learn from you. Empower your recovery with therapy that opens your heart and mind to help you become a better person.