Consider the Types of Counseling Before You Choose One to Work On Your Mental Health

There are many different types of counseling that one might choose from to get mental health assistance. You might want to work on your negative thought patterns, or you might consider trauma-informed therapy. Maybe you feel that group therapy would be a good fit. Before you decide what kind of treatment you’d like to pursue, think about the issues you’re dealing with, because you want to ensure you receive the right treatment. So, what are the different kinds of counseling that are out there? Let’s explore some different types of counseling available and find out which one works best for you and your mental health needs. 

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a form of counseling where you learn about negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions so that you can stop yourself from feeling depressed or anxious. “Distortions” refer to things like over-generalization where, for example, just because one bad thing happens, the entire day is ruined, and everything is terrible. Another example is black and white thinking, where you think in extremes — you either love something or hate it, there’s no in between. CBT helps you see the grey area of things and helps you to combat negative thinking because what happens is that negative thought patterns lead you to view yourself in a negative light as well. CBT is an excellent form of therapy for those who struggle with anxiety or depression.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Many of us have been through traumatic experiences in life. It’s difficult to face the hardships we’ve experienced; however, there is a form of counseling that can help your health from these experiences. Trauma-informed therapy is an excellent for those who have been through a traumatic experience and want to work through their trauma. They’re actively seeking a place to heal from their past, and a trauma-informed therapist is equipped to help them understand their experiences and heal. You’d consider trauma-informed counseling if you’ve been through something that’s impacted your life such as an assault or any other extremely traumatic event. A trauma-informed therapist is a patient and kind individual who understands what it’s like to be frightened due to severe trauma. They’re passionate about helping you heal, and they know that it can take some time for a person to open up about what they’ve been through, which is the goal of trauma-informed therapy. 

Group Counseling

In addition to individual counseling, there are also places you can seek mental health treatment where you’re working with others who have similar concerns. Group counseling is a great place to deal with mental health problems such as substance abuse, or many times, people with personality disorders go to DBT groups to work on emotional regulation and coping skills. DBT or dialectical behavior therapy is often held in a group setting because the people in the group learn from each other and can discuss their issues with co-dependency, distress tolerance, and so on. These kinds of discussions can happen in any group setting, including substance abuse groups and DBT groups. There are group counseling sessions for people with anxiety disorders or obsessive compulsive disorder. Depending on what your particular mental health concern is, it’s likely you can find a group that suits your needs.

DBT

You’ve read about CBT, where you can address negative thought patterns and combat cognitive distortions. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT but has some additional components that make it unique. DBT is much like CBT, although it has a particular focus on mindfulness. It helps people learn to manage their emotions while teaching emotional regulation. DBT is an excellent form of therapy for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) and can help people learn to become incredibly self-aware. It’s a great form of treatment for anyone looking to gain insight into their emotions, manage anger, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Another issue that DBT can help with is distress tolerance. Many people who struggle with anxiety can benefit from DBT techniques. 

Online therapy

Many of the forms of counseling we’ve discussed are available online. If you’re interested in pursuing teletherapy or online counseling, it’s a viable form of mental health treatment, and many people are regularly seeing online counselors. Online therapy is a place to explore the kind of counseling that works for you. It’s available anywhere with a reliable internet connection, and you can seek somebody who’s a good fit for you in a comfortable environment.