Talk Therapy
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy) can be an important part of treatment for depression or bipolar disorder. A good therapist can help you cope with feelings, problem solve and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your symptoms. Talk therapy is not just “talking about your problems”; it is also working toward solutions.
Homework
- Some therapy may involve homework, such as tracking your moods, writing about your thoughts, or participating in social activities that have caused anxiety in the past.
- You might be encouraged to look at things in a different way or learn new ways to react to events or people.
- Most of today’s talk therapy is brief and focused on your current thoughts, feelings and life issues.
- Focusing on the past can help explain things in your life, but focusing on the present can help you cope with the present and prepare for the future.
- You might see your therapist or counselor more often when you first begin working with them, and later, as you progress towards your goals, you might have appointments less often.
Talk Therapy Can Help You
- Learn to manage ANGER
- Understand your mental health condition
- Overcome fears or insecurities
- Cope with stress & anxiety
- Make sense of past traumatic experiences
- Improve relationships with family and friends
- Understand why things bother you and what you can do about them
- End destructive habits such as drinking, using drugs, overspending or unhealthy sex.
Who Will Provide The Therapy?
Many kinds of mental health specialists may provide talk therapy. Some common professionals include: psychiatrists (MD), psychologists (PhD, PsyD, EdD, MS), social workers (DSW, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, CCSW), counselors (MA, MS, LMFT, LCPC), or psychiatric nurses (APRN, PMHN). Your ability to talk honestly and openly with your therapist, set clear goals and make real progress are the most important things. Think of your relationship with your therapist as a partnership. The two of you will work together to help you feel better. You do not need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about talking openly and honestly about your feelings and concerns.
