When you think about going to therapy, you might envision someone lying on a couch while a cold professional sits in the corner. That’s an unfortunate rendering of a tool that has helped countless people. In reality, sitting and talking with a therapist can make a big difference. This type of therapy — called talk therapy or psychotherapy — benefits the majority of people who try it.
In fact, if you’re going through a difficult time or you want help for your mental health, talk therapy gives you a great place to start. Let’s look at what it is and how it works.
The basics of this kind of therapy
When you choose talk therapy, you meet with the same therapist on the schedule you feel is right for you. That’s usually weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Your sessions last about an hour.
At your recurring appointment, you’ll sit down together with your therapist in a comfortable space. This is your time to talk about whatever’s on your mind. You might revisit the same issue appointment after appointment, or you might use each session to focus on a different challenge in your life. It’s completely up to you.
All you need to bring to your appointments is an open mind and a willingness to share.
You can go to therapy by yourself, with your partner (couple’s therapy), or with a group like your family. In any case, it gives everyone involved a safe space to verbally process and share their feelings and needs.
The outcome of your talk therapy varies depending on what you want and need from your sessions. Your therapist might diagnose a mental illness or work with you to develop a self-care plan, for example. Ultimately, your therapist tailors the sessions to you, how you’re feeling, and what you need.
What talk therapy can help
Therapy can help you develop the awareness and tools to better regulate your emotions, manage challenging situations, and have healthier relationships with the people around you.
Specifically, people who experience the following might benefit from talk therapy:
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Loss
- Relationship issues, including challenging family dynamics
- Stress
- Depression
Talk therapy as part of your personalized program
Some people reap the benefits they want with talk therapy alone. In other cases, our team might recommend pairing your therapy sessions with other kinds of care, like art or music therapy, group sessions, or holistic healing treatments. We come alongside you to develop a program that helps you feel supported as you move toward your healthiest self.
If you’re ready to get started with talk therapy, get in touch. You can fill out that online form, email us at info@venturacwc.org, or call us at (805) 620-8046.
