For those struggling with a mental health disorder or trying to overcome a drug or alcohol addiction, some form of therapy will almost always end up being part of their treatment. Therapy is meant to help an individual deal with emotions, trauma, and problems in a safe and understanding environment so that these issues will not continue to distress them later on.
The most well-known form of therapy is verbal therapy. This is the kind of therapy you would normally see in movies or on TV, where a person goes to see a therapist and talks about their life and what is bothering them. This method is rooted in psychoanalysis, and the goal is to help the clients gain insight and relief by talking about their problems. This traditional form of therapy, created by Sigmund Freud, has helped to influence other therapy approaches as well as including cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy.
Group therapy
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy and will include two or more individuals who work with a trained therapist or counselor. Group therapy allows individuals to share their experiences with others, learn from the experiences of others, and offer advice based on their experiences. Group therapy can often be not only less expensive than individual therapy but can also be more effective. This form of therapy provides an environment in which those with a mental illness or addiction who previously felt isolated because of their problem can find support from others who have dealt or are dealing with the same issues and also have a safe place to deal with their issues and practice new behaviors.
Solution-focused therapy
This form of therapy, also known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), is based on the idea that a person has the skills needed to change their lives and needs help identifying and strengthening those skills. SFBT focuses on finding solutions rather than focusing on the symptoms a person is dealing with. The goal of SFBT is to focus on a view of the future that the client hopes to achieve and to create a series of steps that will help them achieve it.
Expressive arts therapies
Expressive arts therapy can include multiple different methods such as drama, music, writing, dance, movement, and/or painting (art). These forms of therapy can be used along with traditional verbal therapy, or they can be used independently. This allows clients to explore their responses to pictures, sounds, and new forms of expression so that they can find new ways to describe and express what they are dealing with, which may not have been available to them in words beforehand. Expressive arts therapy focuses on the areas of expression, imagination, active participation, and mind-body connection so as to provide the client with new ways to find meaning, clarity, and healing.
A team at a licensed therapy center can provide you with an effective and modern treatment program to give you the best chance possible at a recovery that will last for life. Using years of experience in medicine, psychology, and counseling, they will tailor individual treatment plans for each patient to address their specific needs.
