Talk Therapy

Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is the practice of exploring one’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors with a trained mental health professional.

During talk therapy, you describe what is going on in your head. It is a way to work through your feelings and ideas, both negative and positive, to identify where they come from and why they are there. It is a way to identify issues that cause you emotional distress.

This process, achieved through talk therapy, can help you correct thinking errors, process trauma, and make positive changes in your life. Talk therapy is also referred to as talking treatment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, and psychological therapy.

Who Benefits from Talk Therapy

Many people can benefit from talk therapy. Talk therapy can help one deal with things such as:

Relationship issues
Mental health problems
Past events that cause you conscious or unconscious distress
Challenging life events, such as bereavement or redundancy
Complicated feelings like low self-esteem, shame, and anger

Talk therapy can be something you use when you are in a crisis. You can also use it when you need to talk to someone in a safe place without judgment.

Talk therapy can treat anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health-related conditions, issues, and symptoms.

Types of Talk Therapy

Various types of talk therapy can be used to address your mental health issues.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on recognizing negative and unhelpful thoughts and behavioral patterns. CBT helps you change how you react to these thoughts, allowing you to feel better.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is based on CBT, but it’s specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and behaviors and make changes that lead to healthier and more productive outcomes.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT): Is a treatment that focuses on understanding and dealing with a specific troublesome interpersonal issue, such as conflicts with others, unresolved grief, and significant life changes. It focuses on helping you express emotions in healthy ways and communicate better with others.
Behavioral therapy: The overall goal of behavioral therapy is to identify unhealthy behaviors that you engage in and change them through positive behavior reinforcement.
Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy involves looking into the unconscious meanings behind your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying the unconscious meanings, you can bring them to light, understand yourself, and enact change.
Supportive therapy: Supportive therapy is about helping you develop the resources you need to deal with your mental health conditions.
Integrative therapy: Also known as talk therapy, this type of therapy is about blending various styles of therapy together to achieve a style that fits the patient’s specific needs.

Different types of talk therapy are used to treat different conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout.

Success of Talk Therapy

Talk therapy does work. The overall effectiveness of talk therapy is based on your willingness to engage in the process. You should be willing to be honest about what you are feeling and experiencing and be ready to make changes.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from engaging in therapy.

Talk Therapy in Aurora, Colorado

If you suffer from a mental health condition, talk therapy may be beneficial to your treatment plan.

Contact Axis Integrative Mental Health at (720) 400-7025 or fill out our contact us form to learn if talk therapy is right for you.