Can Therapy Help With Addiction

Can Therapy Help With Addiction

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Different Types of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a conversation between you and a trained therapist in a safe, confidential setting. There are many different types of psychotherapy.


Some popular approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors. Others may address emotional trauma or work on interpersonal issues. Still, others use existential therapy to help patients accept responsibility for their choices and search for meaning.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a short-term approach that can help you change unhelpful patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Your therapist may use techniques such as guided discovery and questioning to challenge your negative beliefs and consider different viewpoints. They will also prompt you to come up with evidence against your distressing beliefs, for example if you believe that you are unlovable, they will ask you to list family and friends who love you and treat you well. This is called cognitive restructuring and is an important part of CBT.

You will work together with your therapist to develop goals and practical self-help strategies, designed to improve your quality of life immediately. You will usually be given homework, such as keeping a journal of your disturbing thoughts or practicing breathing exercises. Some therapists offer two to four trial sessions to allow you to see if you get on with your therapist before billing your statutory health insurance.

Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy delves into the unconscious processes and inner conflicts that drive an individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It often involves a lengthy and in-depth discussion of past experiences and relationships, as well as open communication between the therapist and patient.

For example, Sandra experiences chronic anxiety and is unable to pinpoint its cause. In psychodynamic sessions, she and her therapist explore Sandra’s childhood experiences and family dynamics to discover any underlying issues that may be contributing to her anxiety.

This type of therapy also uses techniques such as free association (Sandra speaks freely about whatever comes to mind without feeling embarrassed or self-censoring) and dream analysis to identify repressed feelings. The therapist helps the client understand and resolve these issues, which can improve their decision-making and interpersonal relationships in the present. This therapy is typically longer-term and focuses on building a trusting relationship with the therapist. Psychodynamic therapists are trained in understanding and managing transference and countertransference.

Humanistic/experiential therapy
Humanistic psychotherapies are focused on the importance of subjective experience and emphasize a genuinely empathic therapeutic relationship. They also believe that each person has a fundamental tendency towards psychological growth and that the therapist can facilitate this process.

The therapist provides empathy and congruence to create a safe environment where you can explore your feelings and express yourself freely. Then, they encourage you to consider new perspectives and choices cbt therapy near me in your life. Research has shown that these techniques are effective for treating a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, personality disorders and interpersonal concerns.

Examples of humanistic therapies include client-centered therapy, psychodrama, Gestalt therapy and somatic work. In psychodrama, clients can become actors in their own stories to gain a different perspective. In Gestalt therapy, the therapist acts as a guide, facilitating an empty-chair dialogue and other experiential exercises that encourage self-awareness. In somatic therapy, clients move their bodies to release emotions and heal trauma that may be stored in the body.

Dialectical behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective psychotherapy treatments for borderline personality disorder. It teaches patients skills to manage their emotions and behaviors and replace harmful coping mechanisms with healthy ones. It also provides tools to build a life that is worth living.

DBT therapists work with their patients to identify important goals and overcome obstacles. They use mindfulness techniques to help them become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and actions. They also teach core mindfulness skills, adapted from Eastern meditation practices.

DBT includes one-on-one sessions with a therapist and weekly group sessions. It also teaches patients to practice skills between sessions and provides telephone crisis coaching. Depending on the program, it may involve a one-year commitment. It’s important to find a qualified therapist who has experience treating borderline personality disorder, depression and other mental health conditions. Ask friends and family for recommendations or search online for therapists who offer DBT.