Little by little the stigma of therapy and mental health is diminishing. More and more people know that it is necessary to take care of the mind to have good health both on the outside and on the inside. Although not all people who need help with their mental health receive it. There are millions and millions of people who are affected by illness mental and only half receive treatment.

In many cases, people wait years for therapy, even decades … until they experience the first symptoms they do not talk to someone about the mental health problems they are experiencing. Although many people who need treatment have not yet received it, many are open to receiving therapy. If you are considering therapy, you need to know what type of treatment or therapy is best for you based on your circumstances.

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a solution-oriented approach that motivates people to change their behavior and views by changing the way they think. This type of therapy has become increasingly popular.

CBT focuses on ‘automatic thoughts’, which are reflective thoughts about ourselves, others, and the world. These thoughts are representative of the fundamental beliefs that we have about ourselves, such as believing that we are inadequate or defective. This approach to treatment can be tailored to each patient’s underlying problems, including phobias , addictions, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. So the way you approach sessions with someone struggling with depression is different from the way you train those dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder.

However, there is one thing to keep in mind: no form of therapy is magic. The results will not be felt immediately, but within a committed and connected psychotherapeutic relationship, you may begin to experience some relief.

2. Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy is generally used to treat disorders of mood, with the main objective to improve relations and social interactions of a person to help reduce the pressure under which it is. This type of therapy, which is considered a new form of therapy, has also been shown to be effective for people who are distressed by a specific life event, such as moving, divorcing, the death of a loved one, or retirement.

Like cognitive behavioral therapy, this therapy does not focus on the past, but on what is currently happening in a person’s life.  The main difference focuses on how a person’s thoughts and behaviors apply to their relationships (as opposed to someone’s self-perception). Also, it doesn’t stop at the negative by-products of unhealthy relationships, just the relationships themselves. Treatment usually lasts about 16 weeks.

A session may involve role-play interactions that took place outside of the office to see how one person could have handled things differently or more effectively. Group sessions are also common, as people can practice their interpersonal skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

3. Marriage and family therapy

Another short-term mental health therapy is marriage and family therapy, often called couples counseling or family counseling.  This type of therapy, which usually lasts about 12 weeks, focuses on improving relationships between two people in a romantic relationship or between members of a family. In marriage therapy, therapists often meet first with the people and then with the couple . 

In family therapy, sessions are often together, and the therapist occasionally meets with people individually if necessary. Typically, marriage and family therapists identify roles that contribute to conflict-causing behavior and explore ways to actively resolve problems between people. That being said, it can also benefit individuals individually.

4. Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a traditional form of mental health therapy that employs in-depth conversations that address a patient’s external world. It is used primarily for people with depression , but it can also work for people with addiction, social anxiety disorder, and eating disorders.

In psychodynamic therapy, people are encouraged to talk about anything and everything that occurs to them, with the overall goal of putting negative symptoms into remission and increasing the individual’s self-esteem. Generally, this type of therapy is ongoing and works best for people who know their problems but do not have the tools to solve them on their own.

5. Psychoeducation

Although it has been around for quite some time, psychoeducation, the process of giving people (and family members) a more solid base of knowledge about their psychological condition, is more popular than ever. Although not a specific form of therapy, psychoeducation is crucial in guiding people with the necessary knowledge about their condition, coping strategies, and how and where to get help.

Psychoeducation is important, as many people who have a mental health condition know little or nothing about the condition they have been diagnosed with, what to expect from therapy, or the positive and negative effects of any medications that may be prescribed. Psychoeducation can come in a number of forms, including formal classes, support groups, or a therapist explaining to a patient how their mental health problem can affect their life.

6. Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is often used in conjunction with another form of mental health therapy and is generally used to help a person deal with specific behavior, such as smoking, insomnia , phobias, and sexual dysfunction. Hypnotherapy works by inhibiting part of the brain. In hypnosis, our centers of consciousness switch to internal brain structures involved in unconscious processes and long-term memory. The critical faculty of the conscious mind is inhibited, so that suggestions can be accepted more easily.

In a typical hypnotherapy session, an individual closes his eyes and is helped to relax deeply. The hypnotist then offers suggestions and guides the person’s imagination. In some cases, the trance can generate memories and resources that are not normally accessible to the conscious mind. Hypnosis can also reduce stress and anxiety by activating the relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system.