When your child struggles with behavioral or addiction concerns, you want to get them the best help available. Our psychotherapy program in Boise has helped thousands of teens and their families in their recovery journey.
What is psychotherapy, and are the benefits of psychotherapy real? Keep reading or call Imagine Boise today at 888.597.2807 to learn more.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Simply put, the most common psychotherapy definition is this: Psychotherapy involves treating mental health concerns by talking with a qualified mental health provider.
But it’s not always as simple as that may sound. Sometimes called “talk therapy,” psychotherapy is often used in combination with medications and other therapies to treat mental health, behavioral, and substance use disorders. There are several types of psychotherapy. Some of these therapies are successful at treating specific conditions, while others are more appropriate for certain types of personalities, but all are evidence-based and have been proven effective.
Outside of treatment centers, therapy sessions typically last around 50 minutes and are held at least once a week. In the case of residential or outpatient programs, patients may attend several therapy sessions every day.
It is typical to use more than one psychotherapy approach at a time. Some of the most common types of therapies used to help teens include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Grief and loss trauma therapy
- Family therapy
- Teen relationship counseling
The therapist-patient relationship is crucial for the benefits of psychotherapy to be fully realized. Effective therapists have the training and experience to work with specific groups of people or disorders.
For example, therapists for adolescents and teens have a unique understanding of the pressures young people face and know how to build trust so that young patients will feel comfortable speaking honestly about their issues.
5 Psychotherapy Benefits
Psychotherapy is an evidence-based approach to treatment. That means it has been widely studied and shown to provide benefits. The therapy experience is different for every person, but the following psychotherapy benefits are typical for younger people.
1. Improved Communication Skills
Teens who are hesitant to talk can get lost in group settings. They may feel shy, fearful, or ashamed and hide behind louder peers. In both group and individual therapy, the therapist guides the conversation and knows how to bring children out of their shells.
Teens learn better communication skills through specific therapeutic exercises and modeling from the therapist. Better communication skills are a lifelong benefit that will improve academic success and relationships with family and friends.
2. Better Self-Awareness
Understanding their own needs and knowing how to get those needs met are skills that young people must learn. Psychotherapy helps teach teenagers how their own thoughts and behaviors affect outcomes.
Therapists help patients identify their personal goals, obstacles, and boundaries and empower them to become more aware of how their actions directly affect their lives.
3. Support
Psychotherapy sessions provide a comfortable, supportive environment where patients feel heard and understood. Whether in individual, group, or family therapy sessions, when teens feel supported, they will be more comfortable talking about difficult topics.
4. Improves Self-Esteem
One of the most important benefits of psychotherapy is improving a teenager’s sense of confidence and self-worth. They learn new skills to help them cope with challenges and feel a sense of accomplishment when they reach their therapy goals.
5. Better Focus
The process of psychotherapy includes setting and meeting certain wellness goals. Using the skills they learn in therapy, teens learn the benefits of staying focused and working to complete a goal.
Learn More about Psychotherapy at Imagine Boise
The caring team at Imagine Boise understands how difficult it is to watch your child struggle with a mental health or substance use disorder. For more information on the psychotherapy definition and other treatments that can help, call Imagine Boise at 888.597.2807.