Counseling is a client-centred approach that offers clients a safe space in which they can explore their issues and emotions safely and confidentially, within certain boundaries.
Counselors encourage clients to discuss their problems openly so they can identify the root cause. After which, goals may be established in order to overcome or reconcile with them.
Humanistic
Humanistic therapy takes an introspective and choice-focused approach. It supports the idea that one can free oneself of disabling assumptions and attitudes that limit freedom of choice and freedom from disempowering beliefs and assumptions. Humanistic therapists usually offer empathetic, nonjudgmental environments which support clients as they explore positive qualities as well as use creative problem-solving abilities on a day-to-day basis.
Humanistic therapies take the perspective that people are fundamentally good and have the capacity to change and evolve through experiencing life events and accepting free will as the basis for behavior. Humanistic therapies may help address depression, anxiety, personality disorders and low self-esteem; however it cannot address past events or trauma. If these issues persist for you then other forms of therapy might be more suitable – Talkspace offers online therapists who specialize in humanistic therapies as an avenue of exploration.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy aims to assist people in understanding the unconscious motivations that underlie their emotions and behaviors, providing relief from symptoms as well as new strategies for dealing with life challenges.
Recognizing and acknowledging their own repressed emotions as well as recognizing patterns in relationships and behaviors – particularly unspoken or unconscious patterns which may be hard to detect – are among its primary benefits.
Psychodynamic counselling has recently been shown to be effective against depression, with its benefits lasting long after therapy has finished. But not every therapist fits your personality perfectly – so it is key that you find someone experienced in both approaches, such as CBT.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term therapy approach designed to help change harmful thought patterns, emotions and behaviors. CBT employs practical self-help strategies that immediately improve quality of life.
CBT is founded on the idea that maladaptive cognitions, or beliefs about oneself and your world, play an integral part in emotional distress and behavioral difficulties. For instance, someone who believes they are unlovable could rewire their brain so as to act shyly in social situations or avoid them altogether.
CBT can be an effective treatment option for various mental illnesses and is comparable or more effective than some other forms of psychotherapy and medications. CBT sessions work best when you actively participate and work closely with your therapist in setting goals together.
Solution Focused Therapy
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) focuses on finding solutions and is typically short-term therapy. When searching for SFT practitioners, make sure they possess extensive training in SFT as well as an approachable, caring demeanor; this may take multiple sessions until finding one with whom you click.
In the 1980s, Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer – the pioneers of solution focused therapy (SFBT) – observed that most therapy sessions consisted of discussion of negative symptoms rather than quick, specific problem solving. So they developed their innovative method.
At your session, a therapist will pose several questions to help identify and set achievable goals for yourself and create manageable steps towards them. Incorporating miracle questioning and mental rehearsal techniques may further assist.
Group Therapy
Group therapy entails multiple patients meeting in person with a trained counselor and discussing their problems face-to-face. It offers several advantages, such as catharsis, interpersonal learning and support from peers; members also can experiment with alternative ways of relating and treating others.
Additionally, attending support groups can help individuals realize they’re not alone and that others share similar issues. Furthermore, when the group consists of people in various stages of recovery it can give those still experiencing challenges hope for future progress.
Although group therapy offers numerous advantages, there can still be drawbacks associated with it. For example, providing individual attention may prove challenging for therapists while some individuals may feel intimidated talking in front of strangers.