Three Key Benefits Of Talking Therapies

Talking therapy is a form of psychological treatment, used to treat emotional and mental difficulties such as phobias or anxiety. It can be used in many different forms, with each sharing the common goal of altering negative thought patterns which can be damaging to one’s mental health. 

It is important not to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to have gone through a majorly traumatic experience to undergo therapy. Even if you just want to discuss your life in general, talking therapies can help to rationalise your thoughts to instil a more positive mindset. 

In this article we will highlight some of the key benefits of therapy to the individual, and also the people closest to them.  

1. Overcoming phobias  

One of the ways in which talking therapies can be useful is in addressing phobias or mental scars, which have a negative impact on your thought processes. For this particular outcome, your therapist or counsellor would likely use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This has been proven to be effective in identifying and changing negative thought patterns, to abate the impact phobias can have on our mental health. 

When an individual encounters a phobia, their mind can be prone to hyperbolise the situation, by imagining the worst case scenario. This can have the effect of worsening any anxiety. With effective counselling, the individual will learn to address unhelpful thought patterns, replacing them with more rational thoughts to help reduce anxiety and overcome any mental blocks. 

2. Helps you to make healthier choices 

Once you have learned to identify and eliminate negative thoughts, this skill can help you to make healthier lifestyle choices on a daily basis. On a larger scale, issues like drug or alcohol addiction can be addressed, after becoming aware of the negative thoughts that lead an individual consuming these harmful substances. This process not only benefits the individual but also family and friends who could also be affected by the person’s addiction.

On a far smaller scale, healthy life choices can concern little changes to your daily routine, such as altering your diet or doing more exercise. Often, a poor diet or lack of exercise can stem from negative thoughts, lack of self-esteem, or feelings of anxiousness. By addressing these thoughts, a therapist can help you to feel empowered to make better choices, which can lead to vast improvements in both mental and physical wellbeing. 

3. Long-term results

Talking therapies are proven to remain effective even after the course has finished. Treatments such as CBT rely on the individual to help themselves, by learning and practicing effective coping techniques in everyday life. This means that in a sense, the patient learns to become their own therapist, as techniques learned can be implemented outside of therapy sessions. 

For example, learning how to shut off negative thoughts when going to sleep can be difficult at first and is a skill that needs to be practiced. There have been many studies into the long-term effectiveness of talking therapies versus medication. This study revealed that insomnia sufferers fell asleep more efficiently when undertaking CBT as opposed to using sleeping pills, with almost 60% of the CBT patients falling asleep in 30 minutes or less. 

To sum up 

It is important to note that talking therapies are not a sure-fire way to drastically alter and improve your lifestyle. Unlike with medicines, the emphasis is placed largely on the individual to work on the skills learned, which can take time and will be more difficult for some than others. 

Furthermore, the success of any course of therapy relies heavily on the relationship between therapist and patient. With each course personalised to suit the individual, it is important to take the time to find the right fit for you by checking reviews of local therapists and asking for more information before starting the course.