Top 10 Benefits of Therapy and Where You Can Go to Get Help
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Avena
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, over 50% of the U.S. population will suffer from a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Since people don’t want to be seen as different, foolish, or abnormal, fewer than half of those who suffer from mental health problems ever seek help.
Sadly, the issue of mental health remains shrouded by misconceptions and harmful stereotypes.
If you’re one of the millions of people dealing with a mental or emotional challenge, there is hope for a lasting change. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to…
Talk It Out
Though many people have trouble expressing their feelings, opening up about personal issues can have big benefits for those struggling with mental or emotional problems. Whether in a support group setting or a one-on-one session with a trained therapist, talking it out can help reduce your sense of hopelessness and provide relief from your pressing concerns.
Talk therapy is a proven technique used by:
- Health Coaches
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Therapists
Another name for talk therapy is psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy Basics
Some types of therapy can help you learn how to cope with emotional traumas from the past, stressful situations, or everyday life challenges. Finding the right kind of therapy can help you gain control over your negative or harmful thoughts, which can promote a better mood and brighter outlook. Also, it may improve your relationships and family dynamics by helping you develop healthier ways of interacting with your friends and loved ones.
Psychotherapy can help people with a range of psychological, emotional, and relationship challenges. The goal of psychotherapy is to help you learn how to minimize troubling or triggering issues while enhancing your sense of well-being. There are many types of psychotherapy, and each employs a wide variety of unique tools and strategies.
Types of Psychotherapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Marital and Couples Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
No matter which type of psychotherapy is best for you, here are some of the top benefits of speaking with a trained therapist…
10 of the Best Benefits of Therapy & Where to Go to Get Help
- Improve Communication Skills
- Effective Coping Strategies
Many people cope with a problem by avoiding it. Unfortunately, avoiding painful thoughts, feelings, and memories can do more harm than good and may lead to a host of issues such as low mood, binge eating, persistent pain, poor academic performance, and more. Regardless of how you deal with problems, a counselor can give you proven strategies for how best to cope with personal or relational issues.
- Relieve Ongoing Stress
Stress can affect behavior, mood, and overall health. Many health concerns may result from stress, especially when it’s intense, recurring, or remains unresolved over an extended period. Since intense, long-term stress may increase the risk of weight, heart, and mood problems, enlisting the help of a therapist may be a smart move if you’re dealing with ongoing stress.
- Strengthen Your Relationships
Make a relationship inventory and take note of common themes in your previous relationships. Meeting with a therapist can help you accurately identify your attachment patterns and address any deep-seeded issues that are holding you back, such as low self-worth, fear of intimacy, distrust, and jealousy. With professional guidance, you may learn new ways to strengthen your relationships with those closest to you.
- Increase Inner Happiness
Learning how to focus on the positive is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and personal happiness. It’s easy to notice what you don’t like in a relationship (or yourself), but when you spend more time appreciating what’s working well, you’re more likely to see an increase in positive behavior. Change takes time, but this is one step that can pay off huge dividends if you consistently work at it with the help of a trained counselor.
- Take Personal Responsibility
Taking personal responsibility for what happens to you and looking for creative ways to solve your problems will help you feel less like a victim and more like you’re in control of your life. This practice can be uncomfortable at first, but a qualified therapist can give you the tools to take personal responsibility for your actions so you can feel a greater sense of freedom in the long run.
- Learn Conflict Resolution
For better or worse, conflicts are part of the human experience. Unfortunately, having strained relations with others can affect your health and well-being. An experienced counselor can give you effective strategies for how to avoid or resolve relational conflicts so you can begin the process of repairing frayed connections with others.
- Exterminate Negative Thoughts
At the heart of many types of therapy is learning about automatic negative thoughts (ANTs), the gloomy and unhealthy thoughts that can come into your mind without warning. Learning how to exterminate the ANTs can help reduce your stress and mood issues. Therapy also can help you clear up past traumas that might trigger you and cause more stress in your life.
- Improve Overall Wellness
Working with a therapist may improve your mental and physical health. Learning proven techniques from a trained therapist can help improve your sleep, blood pressure, and overall wellness. Often, treating mental issues can have a positive effect on the body as well.
- Treat Mental Struggles
If you have concentration issues, severe mood swings, or emotional trauma, one of the best ways to get help is to meet with a trained counselor or therapist. When left untreated, mental issues can get worse over time, so if you’re struggling with personal or relational problems, it’s recommended to get help right away.
Where to Get Help
Many people receive invaluable guidance and emotional support during talk therapy sessions. Speaking with a trained therapist or counselor can make a significant improvement in your outlook and ability to bounce back from life’s challenges.
It’s important to remember that your mental well-being is just as important as your physical well-being. If you’re dealing with anger, guilt, sadness, or mood issues, you don’t have to suffer in silence.
Amen Clinics offers in-clinic and telehealth (via telephone and video conferencing) services. To learn more about the full range of services at Amen Clinics or to set up an appointment, please call 866-347-6076.
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