With increasing times and enhanced technology, diverse modes of therapy have become available that can be used in order to help people reach specific goals. Either a therapist who is trained in multiple approaches can provide various modes of therapy or a person can go to various therapists and utilize multiple approaches. Some modes of therapy are highly efficient for few types of mental health issues and some are more popular than others. There is no one particular solution to mental health issues so, different modes of therapy leads to higher success rate in the treatment.
Along with this, many individual factors are also involved in the effectiveness of any mode of therapy like personal motivation, willingness, efforts and determination. A person before deciding on any mode of therapy should understand each and every mode of therapy in and out and then make a rational and logical decision.
Different Modes of Therapy
Considering the context of the situation in which an individual is seeking therapy, various modes of the therapy can be considered for significant results overtime. The modes of therapy don’t interchange with each other. One mode of therapy maybe is good for one mental health issue but not good for another one. The problem, type of therapy decided and the resources available determine the mode of therapy at last. Now, let’s go into more detail about these modes of therapy.
1. Online Therapy
This therapy involves giving mental health service of therapy to people over the internet which can be video call, over the phone call or messaging. The rate of online therapy has increased rapidly during the corona lockdown because of increased cases of stress, anxiety, panic disorders and PTSD. It is easy to accessible and not restricted to time and geographical locations. It is very easy to access anytime. Online websites offer profiles of the therapists so that clients can make right decision for themselves regarding choosing the right therapist for their mental health issue. People who can’t travel to the office can really benefit from online therapy as it can be accessed by staying at home.
2. Individual Therapy
It involves one client and one psychologist/therapist in a therapy setting. It ensures that the whole focus of the therapist is on the client only and the chances of observing body language are high in this type of therapy. Therapist can develop a more closed relation with the client and deeply discuss the issues and the problems that the client might be facing.
The other most important feature of individual therapy is that it maintains the confidentiality of the client as no one else is there. So, the person can just relax and freely share all personal information with the therapist. In cases like stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental trauma, client is in a need of unconditional positive regard, empathy, affection and support which can easily be received in individual therapy.
3. Group Therapy
In this therapy, instead of one client and one therapist, there can be more than one therapist working with several clients in the therapy setting. It can help with Alcohol Addiction, Depression, Phobia, PTSD, Eating Disorders, Anger Management, Divorce and many others. The main agenda behind this group therapy is that the person will share his/her feelings with several people and experience catharsis to let go of all pain and stress.
It can also help people to get to know other people and their struggles along with their hard work so that they will get motivated and boost self-esteem. It provides a comfortable and supporting environment to people and overtime realize their true potential and reason of their existence and choices while they are socializing with the members of the group. This makes sure that clients have a chance of developing good interpersonal relations with the group members.
It has various types:
- Psycho educational groups
- Interpersonal groups
- Cognitive Behavioural groups
- Support groups
- Skill development groups
4. Coaching
It refers to the process of guiding and helping the clients in achieving their goals. Guidance and support is provided along with all the necessary information that is required by the client. It ensures high level of performance and excellent results in achieving the goals. Whenever any problem is faced in life like switching jobs, marriage, losing weight, etc. coaching might help in overcoming all the obstacles in the path towards success. Goals are set mutually in the session and the progress is tracked overtime. Coaching is also given if the client wants to develop any skill.
5. Psychiatry
It involves treating mental health issues with medicines prescribed by Psychiatrist who is qualified to do that. Medicines are given along with the counselling sessions and this is known to be very effective. There should be a proper course that has to be followed otherwise relapse can happen which will be difficult to treat. They treat mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia or any other brain injury. Before recommending medicines to the client, psychiatrist has an ethical responsibility to obtain informed consent from the client explaining the treatment and risks and benefits of the treatment as well so that the client can make n informed decision.
6. Family Therapy
It deals with the behaviour of the family members and its influence on the family and the family relationships. The main focus of family therapy is coping skills, communication patterns, problem solving and decision making skills, bonding and trust amongst the family members. The occupation of family therapists may increase 14% from 2021 to 2031, says, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Family Therapy deals with issues like divorce, grief, drug abuse, separation, parent and child conflict and life transitions like job loss and marriage. Also, mental health issues that run in the family like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders have major impact on family members and relationships. Family therapy helps the family members to develop healthy and realistic boundaries with each other and also maintain it well. In the session, cohesion and communication is facilitated and the family is trained to transfer that learning from the session to the home. Family members develop skills like problems solving, decision making, interpersonal communication, empathy and many others which helps in maintaining good and strong relations in the family.
7. Couples Therapy
Couples who think that their relationship is no more like it was before, bonding has decreased and deep connection has vanished seek couples therapy. It helps to improve the communication between the couples and make the learn how to have meaningful and deep conversations. Couples therapist allows both the individuals to speak at their turn and not to interfere with each other. This makes sure that the both sides are being listened and understood carefully. According to the researches, 48% of the couples significantly improved their bonding after taking the couples therapy. Couples seek couples therapy to solve any kind of relationship conflict, or to enhance the quality of their bonding or bring some fun in the boring relationship.
It deals with issues like communication issues, sexual problems, financial issues, anger management, drug or alcohol addiction, power role confusion, responsibilities or conflicting ideas on any topic that is important to them. Also, couples who have decided to separate may seek couples therapy either to re-establish the bond or get separate smoothly without any problems. It is proved to be more effective when both the individuals mutually agree to take the couples therapy and results are also significantly higher in those cases. It makes couples both a better listener and a better communicator which is essential to have a successful, strong, healthy and long term relationship.
8. Pre-Marital Therapy
It is given to the individuals who are about to get married and have to discuss some important things before giving the commitment of marriage to each other. It takes the combined approach including interpersonal, behavioural and emotional. Topics like finances, sex, intimacy, communication, power role, family, lifestyle, child-rearing practices, responsibilities and living arrangement all of these are discussed in the presence and under the guidance of a Pre-Marital Therapist who ensures a smooth conversation. Also, couples who don’t have any problems in their relationship can also seek couples therapy to make the transition from relationship to marriage a smooth one.
This therapy helps the couple to set mutual goals and resolutions for marriage together and commit to work hard towards achieving those goals. Pre-Marital Therapist teaches the couple how to solve various relationship conflicts that may arise after the marriage. They also learn how to set realistic expectations with one another and avoid any sources of conflicts in the relationship.
9. Rehabilitation Therapy
It involves individuals who are addicted to things like drugs, alcohol, smoking, shopping or eating to take an intensive therapeutic retreat for some period of time and just try to live without any of the addicted things. They just focus on themselves, their negative thinking, irrational thoughts and bad behavioural patterns. With the help of Psychiatrists, Counsellors and Rehabilitation Psychologists, people can completely try their best to improve their well-being and enhance their quality of life.
When they live with people who are suffering from the same set of problems, they get motivation and immerse themselves completely in achieving goals. This therapy can be given to people across all ages with concerns like trauma, personality, cognition, food habits, lifestyle (drugs, alcohol, smoking or vape) and compulsive behaviour. Various types of therapy are combined to provide treatment to people in the rehab and continues until complete progress is shown by the individual.
Visit Medavas for Professional Help
At this platform, you can get the quickest mode of therapy which is the Online Therapy. Various Therapists/Psychologists are available on this platform who are trained in various therapies and you can get the required assistance from them. Whether you need family therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy, coaching and others you can avail all these services on Medavas. You can book your appointment with the therapist at any time according to your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions for Modes of Therapy
What is a support group?
A Support Group consists of several people facing some common problems and shares their struggles with everyone. It creates a safe environment where personal information is shared. Problems can be anything like domestic violence, addiction, depression, abuse, stress, etc. People get emotional support by sharing their experiences and feelings with people who went through the similar experiences.
Which are the effective modes of therapy to learn a skill?
Group Therapy and Coaching are the most effective modes of therapy to learn a skill as required support, guidance and assistance is provided. Skills like leadership skills, interpersonal skills, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, decision making, time management and public speaking can be developed easily.
What are the disadvantages of Group Therapy?
Group therapy is widely used therapy for various mental health issues but still it has some problems as well. Like, it can make people uncomfortable to share their problems in front of many people. Introvert people can really face severe problem in group therapy. Some arguments may happen between group members even though the therapist is the mediator.