Did you know one in every four adults – 1/4th of the world’s adult population – is diagnosed with a mental health disorder each year? Are you one of these people, or do you know someone who is? If so, maybe psychotherapy is for you.
In a time when you can get a pill for almost anything, psychotherapy remains a remarkable exception. It is not only completely natural and free from side effects, but it is also effective. In fact, psychotherapy is helping 75% of its participants lead better, healthier lives. You, too, can be one of these people.
Here, the health professionals at Body Science Therapy break down everything you need to know about psychotherapy – including its benefits. So before you begin searching for ‘psychotherapists near me,’ read on to learn what psychotherapy can do for you.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of talking therapy that can help you cope with emotional and mental challenges. These include not only the stresses of daily life, for example, physical trauma, the loss of a loved one, or something else entirely. But also specific mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety.
So, in other words, psychotherapy aims to improve your mental well-being, self-esteem, and motivation. It does this by enabling you to:
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- Overcome harmful and self-destructive behaviors
- Identify triggers
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms
- Improve self-reliance
In general, psychotherapy can be short-term – to address time-sensitive issues – or long-term to deal with more complex thought patterns. What’s more, because different types of psychotherapy exist, your therapist can tailor the treatment for your specific needs and goals. For this purpose, psychotherapy may also be combined with medications or other treatments to boost your results.
The Benefits
Psychotherapy is fast becoming the go-to treatment for mental health disorders worldwide. And for good reason – it has many benefits. Some of these are as follows.
Benefit 1: Treats Depression
Depression is, by far, the most common mental health disorder around the world. On top of that, it is the fourth leading cause of suicide. Luckily, studies show that psychotherapy is very effective – even more so than medication – in treating depression and its associated suicidal ideation.
Depression, although mainly genetic, has many causes, such as childhood abuse, trauma, or drugs. Psychotherapy can help train your mind to respond differently to these triggers. Thus, it can treat your depression and reduce the risk of its relapse.
Benefit 2: Combats Anxiety
You don’t need us – or data – to tell you, but people are more anxious now than ever before. In fact, according to a recent survey, two out of three adults reported feeling anxious about their health, finances, or safety. Concerningly, only one out of every five sought professional help.
Unlike depression, anxiety has little to do with genetics. Instead, your emotions and your control over them play a major role. Psychotherapy can help you develop a healthier relationship with these feelings so that they do not disrupt your daily life. Moreover, it not only helps you identify common triggers but also equips you with practical techniques to better deal with emotionally taxing situations.
Benefit 3: Help You Get ‘Unstuck’
Feeling ‘stuck’ – and helpless – is a commonly reported feeling among mental health sufferers. The key to getting ‘unstuck,’ though, lies in addressing its cause. Psychotherapy does just that.
Psychotherapy can help you identify cues in your environment or your life that can jump-start self-sabotaging behaviors. What’s more, it helps retrain your responses. So that instead of falling back into the miserable status quo, you remain in control.
Thus, the next time you feel at the whim of your compulsions and addictions, give your therapist a call. You’ll be happy that you did.
Benefit 4: Helps Build Relationships
Human interaction is the basis of all existence. Relationships are all we have. And when it comes down to it, it is the only thing that matters.
But, unfortunately, relationships are also the first to take a hit when your mental health is compromised. And it all stems from internal struggles and conflicts – not external factors.
Psychotherapy can bring these internal struggles to the forefront where you can address them. Thus, it’ll help you repair damaged relationships or form newer, more meaningful ones. Soon enough, painful isolation will be a thing of the past.
Benefit 5: Makes You Confident
Confidence can be hard to come by. Because the truth is, all of us are in a constant battle with our personal insecurities. That’s just a part of life.
Mental disorders only serve to sap the already thin reserves of confidence. And a place with no confidence – questioning every move – is a place you don’t want to be.
Psychotherapy helps rebuild your confidence using a step-wise approach. So with renewed faith in yourself and your abilities, you are ready to take on the world.
Benefit 6: Brings Happiness Without Medications
Psychotherapy puts you back in control of your emotions and your life by equipping you with the necessary skills to deal with any emotionally charged situation.
And the best part is that it does this without relying on medications. You know what that means- no side effects and no prolonged treatment courses!
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