Why Therapy Works

Therapy, also known as counseling, is a process in which a person works with a trained mental health professional to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This helps them to gain insight, resolve emotional difficulties, and improve their overall mental health and well-being.

In short, therapy works. It’s been proven to help people solve problems, manage anxiety, and improve their relationships. The goal of therapy is to help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves so they can improve their relationships with others. This means developing these skills through relationship-building with your therapist.

Therapy is researched-backed in its effectiveness. People that attend therapy with a licensed professional on a regular basis report less incidence of mental health struggles, increased mood and improved well-being overall. Below are some of the specific benefits that therapy has to offer.

A Few Benefits of Therapy:

• Improved mental health: Therapy can help individuals better understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
• Increased self-awareness: Therapy can help individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can lead to a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.
• Enhanced communication and relationships: Therapy can help individuals improve their communication skills and strengthen their relationships with others.
• Coping with difficult life events: Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to process and work through difficult life events, such as loss, trauma, and relationship challenges.
• Increased confidence and self-esteem: Therapy can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-worth and self-acceptance, leading to increased confidence and self-esteem.

Therapy is based on trust and rapport.

One of the most effective ways to get out of a negative thought pattern is to learn how to feel empowered. When we’re stuck in a rut, it can seem impossible to escape from our fears and anxieties, but there are many ways that we can feel more empowered in our daily lives.

Therapy creates a safe space for you to talk about what’s going on in your life without fear of judgment or interruption. In this space, you’ll be fully supported by your therapist who will listen carefully without judgment or interruption so they can help guide you through whatever issues are currently holding you back from living the life you want.

Therapy can provide you a safe place to talk about issues that matter to you the most.  

Therapists are trained to listen without judgment. This means that when you’re talking about your problems, a therapist will provide you a safe place to explore the issues that are affecting your life.  

Therapy is goal-oriented.

Therapists can help you set realistic, achievable goals and then help you develop the tools you need to reach those goals.  Goals might be things such as improving your relationship with your partner or learning how to manage stress better.

Regular therapy is often used as a supplement to medication for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, but it can also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy for an injury or training for an athletic event like a marathon.

Therapy helps you look at things differently.

In therapy, you are empowered to look at your life and make changes that will lead to a more fulfilling life. A therapist can help you understand your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. A therapist can also help you learn to see things from a different perspective.

Therapy can help you learn new ways of coping with stress so that when an upsetting event occurs in the future, it won’t be as difficult for you to manage.

There are multiple options to explore.

There are many different types of therapy, each with its own unique approach and focus. Some common types of therapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors; interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on relationships and communication skills; and mindfulness-based therapy, which emphasizes the importance of being present and non-judgmental self-awareness.

All forms of therapy share the goal of helping individuals better understand themselves and their emotions, and develop the skills and strategies necessary to cope with life’s challenges and make positive changes. Finding what works for you individually is the best way to make therapy as effective as possible.

Final Thoughts

• Therapy is a safe space to talk about your problems and get help. It can help you understand the way you think about things, which can then help you find better solutions for them. For example, if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, therapy can teach you ways to manage your emotions that don’t involve medication.
• Therapy helps relationships improve by giving people a neutral place to communicate with one another about their issues and have them resolve those issues in an efficient manner. If there are any problems in your relationships, this is where they need to be addressed first before anything else gets done—and that includes work stressors.
• Therapy teaches coping skills and strategies. It can provide individuals with the tools and strategies they need to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and cope with difficult situations and challenges.
• Therapy can lead to lasting change. With the support and guidance of a therapist, individuals can make lasting changes to their thought patterns, behaviors, and overall mental health and well-being.
• Lastly, therapy helps people manage their stress levels by teaching them how their thoughts affect their moods and vice versa.

Essentially, there are quite a few reasons why therapy can be helpful. It’s based on trust and rapport, so you feel safe opening up to your therapist. The therapist listens without judgment, which can be extremely comforting when you’re struggling with something difficult in your life. Therapy is goal-oriented, and you can tailor it to fit your needs so that you see results quickly. Your therapist helps look at things differently by providing new perspectives and insights into situations that may seem hopeless before starting treatment.

Therapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to relationship issues and stress management. By providing a safe and supportive environment, helping individuals gain insight and perspective, teaching coping skills and strategies, and promoting lasting change, therapy can greatly improve an individual’s overall well-being and quality of life.

New Dimensions Can Help!

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms or problems, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.

Our affiliate, MHThrive, provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.

References

• Ardito RB, Rabellino D. Therapeutic alliance and outcome of psychotherapy: historical excursus, measurements, and prospects for research. Front Psychol. 2011 Oct 18;2:270. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00270. PMID: 22028698; PMCID: PMC3198542.
• Cook SC, Schwartz AC, Kaslow NJ. Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: Advantages and Challenges. Neurotherapeutics. 2017 Jul;14(3):537-545. doi: 10.1007/s13311-017-0549-4. PMID: 28653278; PMCID: PMC5509639.
• Garrido S, Millington C, Cheers D, Boydell K, Schubert E, Meade T, Nguyen QV. What Works and What Doesn’t Work? A Systematic Review of Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Young People. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 13;10:759. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00759. PMID: 31798468; PMCID: PMC6865844.
• Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A. The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognit Ther Res. 2012 Oct 1;36(5):427-440. doi: 10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1. Epub 2012 Jul 31. PMID: 23459093; PMCID: PMC3584580.