What is Therapy?
Therapy, in a mental health context, includes a broad range of treatments designed to help people feel and function better in their daily life. It usually involves talking to a professional to gain insight and coping skills for stressful life events. Some of the fields that may be included under 'therapy' are:- Psychology, or the scientific study of the mind, including the science behind human development and cognition, mental health, memory, perception, and intelligence.
- Psychotherapy, or 'talk therapy,' where patients talk to a therapist in order to problem solve and learn new ways to handle difficult issues in their lives.
- Counseling, which is sometimes used interchangeably with psychotherapy, and is very similar. It is also a type of 'talk therapy,' but it tends to be more short-term, and it can be provided by professionals without medical credentials, such as spiritual advisors. The goal of both counseling and psychotherapy is to improve a patient's well being by helping them navigate difficult situations in life.
- Substance abuse therapy, or rehabilitation, which often uses a combination of medication and talk therapy for treatment. Substance abuse therapy may include coping skills, life skills training, family therapy, or behavioral therapy to learn new ways of reacting.
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