Mental health is essential to overall well-being, yet people often don’t pay enough attention to it. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that about one in every five American adults experiences a mental health condition in a given year. A mental health condition can affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just like physical health, mental health is vital at every stage of life.
While many evidence-based treatments are available to help people manage their mental health conditions, such as medication and inpatient intervention, talk therapy is one of the most effective approaches to mental health care. The experienced staff at the Alleviant Health Centers of Rogers is highly aware of the psychological benefits of talk therapy. Call 479.309.1427 to learn more about our talk therapy program and other services we offer to our patients.
What Is Talk Therapy?
Also known as psychotherapy or counseling, talk therapy is a process that helps people look at their thoughts and feelings to gain insight into their behavior. There are different types of talk therapy, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – This therapy helps patients understand how their thoughts and beliefs influence their emotions and behavior. Patients learn to identify and change negative thought patterns to improve their mood and behavior.
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) – This therapy focuses on a person’s relationships with others. The therapist will help the patient understand how their relationships affect their thoughts and emotions. Patients will also learn communication and conflict-resolution skills.
- Psychodynamic Therapy – This therapy focuses on a person’s early childhood experiences and how they might affect the patient’s current thoughts and behavior. The therapist will help the patient understand these experiences and develop new ways of thinking and behaving.
All types of psychotherapy involve talking to a therapist to understand oneself better and work through challenges. The therapist will help the patient understand how their thoughts and feelings influence their behavior. This will help the patient learn how to change their thinking and behavior for the better.
Talk therapy can be done individually, with family members or friends, or in a group setting. Patients undergoing talk therapy for mental health will usually meet with their therapist weekly for 50 minutes to an hour. Still, some might need to meet more frequently, depending on the severity of their symptoms. The length of treatment can also vary but typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks.
3 Benefits of Talk Therapy
1. Helps You Understand Yourself Better
One of the benefits of talk therapy is that it can help you understand yourself better. People are often unaware of their thought patterns and how these influence their behaviors. Talking with a therapist can help us become more aware of our thought patterns and learn how to change them.
2. Teaches You Effective Coping Strategies
Another benefit of talk therapy is that it teaches you effective coping strategies. Dealing with mental illness can be difficult, but talking with a therapist can help you develop coping mechanisms to deal with your symptoms. The therapist will teach you how to manage your symptoms effectively so they don’t take over your life.
3. Helps You Make Positive Changes in Your Life
After gaining insight into your thoughts and feelings and learning effective coping mechanisms, you can make positive changes in your life, such as:
- Choosing more beneficial coping mechanisms
- Developing healthy relationships
- Pursuing goals you were previously too afraid to seek
The most crucial benefit of talk therapy is that it helps you make positive changes in your life.
Learn More About Talk Therapy at the Alleviant Health Centers of Rogers
Talk therapy is a beneficial treatment for those struggling with mental health issues. However, it’s essential to choose a reputable treatment facility like the Alleviant Health Centers of Rogers for it to be truly effective. Our team of highly trained therapists is passionate about helping our patients overcome their mental health challenges so they can live their best lives possible. Contact us today at 479.309.1427 to learn more about our talk therapy program.