Type of Therapy|Approach to Therapy.
In treating mental conditions such as depression, there are various types of therapy techniques used in giving psychotherapy to a patient and each of these forms of therapy has its approach and indications. Some of these kinds of therapies have around for a while and new ones are being added over time.
The right approach to therapy in a particular patient is decided upon by the treating psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Basically it means that a particular type of therapy which may suit you, may not suit another depressed person.
Types of Therapy.
The various types of therapy or psychotherapy are important tools in the hands of the treating psychotherapist to treat his patient. Before starting on his psychotherapy, he has analysed the depression of his patient and finalized on the type of therapy for his patient. Below are the various options of his approaches to therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)|Behavioral Therapy|Cognitive Therapy.
This is the most common approach to therapy used and conducted over a preset number of sessions. These are usually 6 to 8 sessions over a period of 10 to 12 week. This type of therapy helps you to focus and identify your own unhealthy thoughts and negative behavioral attitude which could have contributed to your depression.
These are then replaced with healthy and positive ones. This type of therapy helps you change the way you think, feel and behave presently. For example it helps you become active in a situation where you were previously feeling hopeless.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
This type of therapy helps the depressed individual to focus and see the type of relationship he or she has with people he knows, such as his family members, friends and colleagues. It helps to improve the interpersonal skills or the communication skills and improve those relationships.
It also helps to increase the self esteem which had been lost. This therapy is used where the cause has been a conflict in a relationship, an event of mourning or social isolation. It is given over a period of 3 to 4 months.
Psychodynamic Therapy.
This form of therapy aims at identifying the root cause of your depression which is related to a trauma or an unresolved cause stemming from childhood. Here the patient is encouraged to talk of such nagging and disturbing events and experiences. This type of therapy could take weeks, months or years.
Individual Counseling.
This kind of therapy involves one on one discussion between the patient and a qualified, trained and professional therapist with a good deal of experience in treating depression and other such mental conditions. The therapist helps the patient understand depression and its causes. New strategies are then explained to manage stress and depression.
These one-to-one sessions makes the patient open up even more and this helps to identify the specific causes and triggers that make the depression worse. These sessions help the patient to improve relationships, keep good and healthy habits, get good sleep and take treatment as advised.
Family Therapy|Family Counseling.
Depression in family member affects the whole family. And though the family members try in their own nonprofessional way to talk to the patient, it often worsens the depression.
Counseling the whole family about depression makes the family member get a right insight about the problem. They treat the patient rightly taking care to see that he or she follows up with the treatment.
Counseling with the whole family encourages the members to talk about the stresses and problems and they feel better talking openly with the therapist. This form of therapy helps them to improve the way they interact with the patient and with each other thus resolving any conflicts.
Group Counseling.
This approach to therapy involves therapy by the therapist with a group of two or more patients who suffer from depression. This exchange of history, symptoms and experiences among the members makes each of them aware that they are not alone and that there are other people struggling with depression problems and feeling the same. This type of therapy aims at lifting the social isolation which is so very often seen in depression.
Things to Know about Psychotherapy.
It does happen that sometimes the depression is resistant to treatment and therapy. It is important that this does not deter you and you continue to pursue the treatment. Knowing the following points will help.
- If you have been comfortable with your previous therapist, it will be better that you follow up with him if he is well qualified and experienced. The previous history of psychotherapy will be helpful to him as he already is aware of your case and will be able to work out better.
- You could change to a new therapist if you have not been comfortable with the previous one. Check out his credentials before seeking his help.
- Give therapy time to work and religiously follow the advised routine, sessions and follow up.
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