Better Understanding Therapeutic Approaches (and what therapy actually is)

Talk therapy is more than just a yap session – although, who doesn’t LOVE a yap session?? 

Many people know that therapy is different than talking with their friends, but they aren’t quite sure how they are different. Talk therapy offers a safe and confidential space in which a person meets with a mental health professional (clinical social worker, counselor, psychologist, etc) to improve their mental health by breaking negative patterns and reducing symptoms. The therapist and client work to develop a bond (sometimes called a therapeutic alliance), explore and understand feelings/emotions and behaviors, and develop or gain coping skills. Therapy can touch on past or current problems, experiences, thoughts, feelings, relationships – anything that is on a person’s mind or causing them distress. 

When new clients start with me, a lot of them ask me what the therapeutic process looks like. Some have no idea what to expect, some have heard some ~buzz words~ from TikTok — most are anxious in the anticipation of what this will all look like. I put together some thoughts on two very common approaches to therapy. These are not, by any means, the ONLY approaches, but they do tend to be common and easily digestible for newcomers to therapy. 

CBT, or Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy, is a structured and solution-focused type of talk therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy revolves around the principle that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are interconnected. If we change our thinking patterns, we can change the way we feel and the way we act.  CBT is focused on the present moment, not what happened in the past to contribute to these issues. I use CBT strategies to examine the way a client's thoughts are currently contributing to their problems; however, I understand that these patterns had to emerge from somewhere. Therefore, I like to incorporate different types of approaches as well, and look at clients through a psychodynamic lens. 

A psychodynamic lens offers a deep-dive into long-standing patterns. Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy in which a client and therapist focus on how past experiences and relationships impact current behaviors, relationships and emotions. Psychodynamic therapy looks at how a person's patterns came to be; it addresses the causes to better manage long-term symptoms. When we find the root of the problem, it can better help us to understand and manage the symptoms we are experiencing now. 

So, why use an eclectic approach to therapy?  There is no one-size fits all!

Different methods work for different concerns. We can tailor our approach based on what we are targeting. CBT and psychodynamic therapy come together in a positive way to address both symptoms and causes of a client's current problems. These are just 2 examples of modalities I (and many other therapists) use in their practice.

Therapy needs to fit the individual's goals, needs and personality. The research has shown that, above all else, the best outcomes rely on a positive fit between therapist and client. A good therapist can meet the client where they are, and adapt to their needs.