What is Therapy? | Will it Help Me?
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy, or counseling, is when you meet with a trained professional to support and care for your mental and emotional well-being.
A therapist or counselor can offer guidance and insights into feelings and experiences that may be confusing or stressful, and they can also develop a treatment plan for mental health concerns.
Many people think therapy is just for those diagnosed with a mental health condition, but in reality, people seek therapy for all kinds of reasons.
Common Types of Therapy
Therapy can take place one-on-one, with couples or families, or in group settings focused on a shared goal. For instance, group therapy might bring together people dealing with challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder or grief.
Please note: At Indigo Butterfly Counseling and Wellness, all counseling sessions are offered virtually and on an individual basis. Find out more about Virtual/Online Therapy here.
There are many kinds of therapy, each with its own purpose, like helping to heal from trauma, change certain behaviors, or recover from addiction. Here are some of the most common types of therapy and what they’re usually used to treat.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy is typically short-term, aimed at tackling problems, shifting thoughts and behaviors, and picking up better ways to handle tough situations.
Mindful-Based Cognitive Therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a variation of CBT, blends mindfulness techniques with cognitive strategies to help people better manage negative behavior patterns and reduce the risk of depression worsening or returning.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
In dialectical behavior therapy, people focus on building skills to manage tough emotions and relationships by practicing mindfulness, tolerating stress, regulating emotions, and communicating effectively with others.
Therapy? Or Just Talk to a Friend? What's the Difference?
You might wonder, “Why see a therapist when I can just talk to my friends?” While having a strong circle of friends to lean on in tough times is valuable, they play a different role than a therapist. A trained mental health professional offers a more specialized kind of support, especially if you’re facing a mental health challenge. Here are some ways therapy differs from chatting with friends.
Specialized Training
A therapist has specialized training to understand and treat emotional distress and mental health issues. While a friend can be a great listener, they probably don’t have the skills needed to help navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come from trauma, long-term stress, or unhealthy behavior patterns.
Guaranteed Confidentiality
We like to think our friends will keep what we share private, but true confidentiality is only guaranteed when talking to a licensed therapist. Therapists follow strict legal and professional rules to protect everything discussed in sessions, except when there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others.
Neutrality
When friends give us advice, it’s shaped by their involvement in our lives and the experiences we’ve shared. Therapists, on the other hand, can provide an outside perspective and help us explore different viewpoints.
Attention Focused on You
A healthy friendship is a two-way street where both people share their feelings and talk about their issues. It’s important to give equal time and attention to each other, but a therapist’s role is to focus entirely on you. While it wouldn’t be fair to ask a friend not to share their problems, therapists have professional boundaries that keep them from discussing their own personal issues. They’re there to help you work through more complex challenges that need undivided attention.
What to Expect from Therapy
Once you begin therapy with Indigo Butterfly Counseling and Wellness, we will work together to define your treatment goals, and what you desire and expect to gain from therapy.
Reaching the goals you’ve set together can depend on many factors, some outside your control, like cost, location, and other logistics. But one key factor is in your hands: your commitment to personal growth. Successful therapy isn’t just about having a skilled therapist—it’s also about your willingness to cooperate and invest in the process.
Insurance Accepted
Mission Statement: "To empower individuals to discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and cultivate lasting well-being through personalized, transformative therapy"
