Therapy

Therapy, or psychotherapy, is a mental health care treatment that teaches you how to identify and change unhealthy emotions and behaviors. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, with offices in Louisville and Aurora, Colorado, the team of mental health specialists offers several types of therapy to kids, teens, and adults. Whether your high schooler is suffering from teen depression or you need help managing work-related anxiety, the team can help. Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office, or book your appointment online today. Telehealth visits are available.

What is therapy?

Therapy involves working one-on-one with a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist. During therapy, you talk through your thoughts and feelings, and your Axis Integrated Mental Health provider acts as a sounding board. Specifically, they teach you how to identify unhealthy thoughts and emotions so you can regain a sense of happiness and control.

Therapy makes it easier to deal with common life obstacles, including:

• Relationship difficulties
• Grief
• Trauma
• Stress
• Medical diagnoses

Common mental health conditions that benefit from therapy include depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team often combines therapy with prescription medication management and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to ensure lasting treatment outcomes. Ketamine-assisted therapy is also available.

When should I consider therapy?

Consider therapy at Axis Integrated Mental Health if you:

• Feel overwhelmed by life
• Have a negative mood most days
• Excessively drink, use drugs, or gamble 
• Have persistently low self-esteem
• Can’t control your emotions
• Are withdrawing from social events and activities

All of these behaviors indicate underlying mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression. Therapy can help you manage these feelings and improve your quality of life. 

Are there different types of therapy?

The Axis Integrated Mental Health Team offers several types of therapy, including:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT teaches you how to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors. It provides you with tools to challenge these things so you can change your reactions and feel more confident.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

DBT is similar to CBT, but it's specially designed for people with very intense emotions. This therapy is particularly effective at managing conditions like self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorder (SUD).

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

IPT is often recommended to people going through intense interpersonal conflicts, like divorce. It teaches you essential communication skills so you can express your emotions in healthier ways.

Behavioral therapy

This type of therapy focuses on unhealthy behaviors like gambling and substance use. It uses something called positive behavior reinforcement to help you break bad habits and make better choices.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy investigates the relationship between your unconscious mind and your thoughts and behaviors. This provides deep insights into the unseen forces that guide decision-making so you can better understand yourself and enact change.

Supportive therapy

Supportive therapy provides emotional support, encouragement, and validation during tough times. It provides a safe space where you can talk about your feelings and worries.

What type of therapy is right for me?

The type of therapy that’s right for you depends on several things, including your mental health, goals, and symptoms. After a review of your medical records, a discussion of your lifestyle, and a psychiatric exam, the Axis Integrated Mental Health team makes personalized treatment recommendations. Often, the team combines several therapies in your treatment plan to optimize outcomes.

Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule a therapy appointment, or book your visit online today.