Psychotherapy also known as counseling or talk therapy is a type of treatment that can help you get through certain mental health conditions and emotional disturbances. Researchers have hypothesized that a significant number of people engaged in psychotherapy have found it beneficial in terms of experiencing overall symptom relief and improved social, occupational, and physical functioning.
Psychotherapy often helps our client understand psychological root causes of their condition so they can get an opportunity for healthy processing which in turn helps them function better and have an enhanced emotional well-being and healing. The goal of psychotherapy is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to help you work towards positive changes and improved well-being.
At Tinley Euthymia, our individual therapy sessions are about 50 minutes long and often start out as biweekly or weekly sessions. Sometimes our psychotherapy treatments are short term (less than 6 months) for our clients dealing with more immediate challenges, or long term (6 months to years) for our clients with longstanding and complex issues.
While psychotherapy can be provided in various formats, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, or group therapy, Tinley Euthymia is only able to provide individual psychotherapy at this time on a self-pay basis only.
Health conditions that our therapists help with include depression, anxiety, acute stress, trauma-related symptoms, relationship problems, medical illnesses, losses, grief etc.
Types of Psychotherapy
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use several types of therapy. The choice of therapy type depends on the client’s particular illness and circumstances and his/her preference. Psychiatrists and other clinicians may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment.
- Cognitive
- Interpersonal
- Dialectical
- Psychodynamic
- Supportive
- Psychoanalysis
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change thinking and behavior patterns that are unhealthy or ineffective, replacing them with more accurate thoughts and functional behaviors. It can help a person focus better on current problems and how to solve them. It often involves practicing new skills in the “real world.” CBT can be helpful in treating a variety of disorders, including depression, anxiety, trauma related disorders, and eating disorders. For example, CBT can help a person with depression recognize and change unhelpful or maladaptive thought patterns or behaviors that are contributing to the depression.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term form of treatment. It helps patients understand underlying interpersonal issues that are troublesome, like unresolved grief, changes in social or work roles, conflicts with significant others, and problems relating to others. It can help people learn healthy ways to express emotions and ways to improve communication and how they relate to others. It is most often used to treat depression.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a specific type of CBT that helps more effectively regulate emotions. It is often used to treat people with chronic suicidal thoughts and people with borderline personality disorder, eating disorders and PTSD. It teaches new skills to help people take personal responsibility to change unhealthy or disruptive behavior. It involves both individual and group therapy.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy is based on the idea that behavior and mental well-being are rooted in childhood and past experiences and involves bringing to conscious awareness feelings that might be unconscious (outside a person's awareness). A person works with the therapist to improve self-awareness and to change deep-seated patterns so that they can more fully take charge of their life.
Supportive Therapy
Supportive Therapy uses guidance and encouragement to help patients develop their own resources. It helps build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social and community functioning. Supportive psychotherapy helps patients deal with issues related to their mental health conditions which in turn affect the rest of their lives.
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy. Sessions are typically conducted three or more times a week.
- Therapeutic Relationship: Be open to establishing a relationship with your therapist. The therapeutic relationship between therapist and the client is focal to the success of your treatment. While our therapists provide you a safe and confidential space for you to express yourself and explore your concerns, be prepared to work collaboratively with your therapist towards finding solutions that may improve your mental well-being.
- Communication: Keep an open and honest communication with your therapist. Freely share your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of being judged or stigmatized. Our therapists are experienced at using various communication techniques to facilitate your understanding and insight.
- Exploration: Be prepared for exploration of some of those difficult and often uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Self-exploration can lead to a better understanding of the factors contributing to challenges and help identify ways to cope or make positive changes.
- Goals and Objectives: Therapy is typically goal-oriented, with clients and therapists working together to establish specific objectives. These goals may include improving coping skills, resolving conflicts, managing stress, or enhancing overall mental health. Be prepared to work towards collaboratively developed goals and objectives.
- Confidentiality: Confidentiality is a basic requirement of psychotherapy and at Tinley Euthymia we take your confidentiality and privacy very seriously. Client sessions are held in a private online room. Session records and documentation are maintained in a HIPAA compliant electronic record system. Records are kept secure with only authorized persons being able to access.
- Evidence-based Approach: Our therapists use evidence-based approaches, which are methods supported by research for their effectiveness. Some common psychotherapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), among others. So be rest-assured that we are using a treatment approach that has been shown to be beneficial for other clients.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Therapists strive to be culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity. Our therapists consider the client's cultural background, values, and experiences, recognizing that these factors can influence mental health and well-being.
It is important to note that psychotherapy is often combined with other forms of treatment, such as medication and/or lifestyle changes, depending on the nature and severity of the mental health condition. The choice of therapy type and approach is often tailored to the individual’s unique circumstances and preferences.
