Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Talk Therapy WorksTypesBenefitsDrawbacksFinding a TherapistPreparation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Talk Therapy Works
Types
Benefits
Drawbacks
Finding a Therapist
Preparation
Talk therapy involves at least one patient or client and a mental health professional trained in talk therapy. Sometimes there are multiple patients or clients in a talk therapy setting forcouples therapy,family therapy, or group therapy.
This article discusses talk therapy, what conditions it treats, and how to find a therapist who offers it. It also goes over the various types of talk therapy and the benefits of each.
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The specific process for talk therapy may vary depending on the psychologist or other healthcare professional, and the specific type of therapy. Talk therapy can take place in an office setting, at a hospital, in a treatment facility, or remotely with telehealth options such as video appointments or audio-only calls.
The process may begin with sharing background information on paper or electric forms, talking about your background, or both.
In addition to talking, the therapist may teach coping techniques or strategies to help with specific problems. There can also be things to work on between sessions, such as journaling, noticing thoughts and responses, or practicing coping techniques.
Types of Talk Therapy
The differenttypes of talk therapyare similar in that they involve a conversation between a talk therapy professional and a patient or client. They differ, however, in what details the conversations focus on.
Many professionals are trained inmultiple types of talk therapyand will use either different techniques or a combination of techniques.
Cognitive or Behavioral Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy, also called dynamic psychotherapy, is a type of talk therapy that addresses unconscious forces, such as motivation and drive.
This method focuses on gaining awareness of the self to change negative patterns. It involves working with a professional to increase the awareness of unconscious thoughts. With this type of therapy, the conversation may include anything that comes to mind for the patient or client and then discussing the patterns that can be seen in those thoughts.
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy is a type of talk therapy that prioritizes growth from the present moment over focusing on the past.This method emphasizes personal responsibility and how it can lead to change and development. Humanistic therapy looks at the person as a whole from their point of view.
With this type of therapy, you will talk about current thoughts and feelings instead of past situations. Talk may also emphasize the uniqueness of the individual, and moving forward from that awareness.
Integrative Therapy
Integrative therapy, also called psychotherapy integration, is a type of talk therapy that combines multiple methods of therapy to address the individual needs of the patient or client.
This type of therapy may include any combination of cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic therapy techniques. Professionals trained in multiple types of talk therapy often take this approach.
Benefits of Talk Therapy
Talk therapy can be used to treat most mental health conditions, and can be helpful in other areas as well.The benefits of talk therapy can be applied to relationship challenges, transitions or adjusting to new lifestyles, coping with a physical illness, or any situation that involves feeling distressed.
Additionally, many people who had traumatic childhoods or have faced traumatic life events find relief and support in ongoing talk therapy.
The conditions most commonly treated with talk therapy include:
The specific benefits of talk therapy depend on the person, the reason for the therapy, and the goals of the treatment. For example, a person with anxiety may try talk therapy to reduce symptoms and be able to better handle situations where they typically experience anxiety.
Some people fear that talk therapy will not help them. However, talk therapy has been shown effective in research, even among people who do not respond well to medications.
Talk therapy is used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, as well as to help with physical health challenges. However, anyone can go to talk therapy to get support through challenges. It does not require a mental health condition or medical diagnosis.
Drawbacks of Talk Therapy
Talk therapy isn’t for everyone, however. Some people have difficulty forming trusting and forming a bond with a therapist, and that can make it difficult to benefit from the process.
Talk therapy is a big time commitment, and it doesn’t work right away. You may need to spend weeks or months in therapy before you start to see positive results.
It can also be hard to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and problems with a stranger. It may be emotional, uncomfortable, or tiring to discuss certain topics during talk therapy sessions. That uncomfortable or tired feeling may last a little while after the session.
Although plans purchased under the Affordable Care Act are required to cover mental health care, other plans—especially small group plans—may not cover talk therapy.Additionally, insurers may not cover therapy unless it is deemed “medically necessary,” which usually means you will need a diagnosis of a mental health condition.Even when it is covered, copays may be too high for some people, especially for weekly sessions.
Talking to a primary care physician or other healthcare professional is often the first step to starting talk therapy. Depending on insurance plans, sometimes a referral from a primary care provider is needed fortalk therapy insurance coverage. If you have this type of plan and aren’t able to get a referral, you can still see a therapist but you may have to pay out of pocket.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
The Different Types of Psychotherapists
Preparing for Talk Therapy
Some talk therapy professionals may require forms to be filled out before the first visit, so ask when scheduling an appointment or arrive early to handle paperwork.
It can be helpful to bring notes of concerns or questions to the first session, though this is not required. If the appointment is online, it is helpful to prepare any required technology, such as videoconferencing (e.g., checking internet speed and audio/video capabilities), ahead of time.
Summary
Talk therapy is a form of mental health care that involves talking about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a therapist. It is used to treat many different mental health conditions. People who do not have mental health conditions can also benefit from talk therapy.
There are many different types of talk therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, inegrative therapy, and others. The one that works best for you will depend on what you’re being treated for and how you respond to different types of therapy.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.How well is telepsychology working?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy.American Psychological Association.Behavioral therapy.American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Humanistic therapy.American Psychological Association.Integrative psychotherapy.Mayo Clinic.Psychotherapy.Mental Health Foundation.Talk therapies.American Psychological Association.How do I choose between medication and therapy?American Psychological Association.Does your insurance cover mental health services?Lazar SG, Bendat M, Gabbard G, et al.Clinical necessity guidelines for psychotherapy, insurance medical necessity and utilization review protocols, and mental health parity.J Psychiatr Pract. 2018;24(3):179-193. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000309
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.How well is telepsychology working?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy.American Psychological Association.Behavioral therapy.American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Humanistic therapy.American Psychological Association.Integrative psychotherapy.Mayo Clinic.Psychotherapy.Mental Health Foundation.Talk therapies.American Psychological Association.How do I choose between medication and therapy?American Psychological Association.Does your insurance cover mental health services?Lazar SG, Bendat M, Gabbard G, et al.Clinical necessity guidelines for psychotherapy, insurance medical necessity and utilization review protocols, and mental health parity.J Psychiatr Pract. 2018;24(3):179-193. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000309
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.How well is telepsychology working?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy.American Psychological Association.Behavioral therapy.American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.Humanistic therapy.American Psychological Association.Integrative psychotherapy.Mayo Clinic.Psychotherapy.Mental Health Foundation.Talk therapies.American Psychological Association.How do I choose between medication and therapy?American Psychological Association.Does your insurance cover mental health services?Lazar SG, Bendat M, Gabbard G, et al.Clinical necessity guidelines for psychotherapy, insurance medical necessity and utilization review protocols, and mental health parity.J Psychiatr Pract. 2018;24(3):179-193. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000309
American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.
American Psychological Association.How well is telepsychology working?
American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy.
American Psychological Association.Behavioral therapy.
American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic psychotherapy.
American Psychological Association.Humanistic therapy.
American Psychological Association.Integrative psychotherapy.
Mayo Clinic.Psychotherapy.
Mental Health Foundation.Talk therapies.
American Psychological Association.How do I choose between medication and therapy?
American Psychological Association.Does your insurance cover mental health services?
Lazar SG, Bendat M, Gabbard G, et al.Clinical necessity guidelines for psychotherapy, insurance medical necessity and utilization review protocols, and mental health parity.J Psychiatr Pract. 2018;24(3):179-193. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000309
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