I am often asked how to define therapy, what are the benefits and what are the various types?

What I say to my clients is that therapy is a space where they can explore feelings, thoughts, ideas that might not be of benefit to them anymore or they feel stuck and therefore have the opportunity to discover your own solutions, through reflection.

Therapy   whether it is counselling or psychotherapy, has become a cornerstone for mental and emotional well-being, offering diverse approaches to cater to the needs of individuals. Whether you are navigating life transitions, coping with grief, or exploring creative outlets for healing, therapy offers a safe space to grow and heal.

Let’s get into some benefits of going to therapy:

First, you have an opportunity to work on enhancing relationships by managing emotions and reducing anxiety around people. One of the therapeutic approaches (person centred therapy), works exactly with that, creating and developing a therapeutic relationship between a therapist and a client which will increase the chances that therapy will improve connections with loved ones.

Another benefit is that therapy can help you to improve emotional regulation by offering tools to manage emotions, reducing anxiety, depression and stress.

These tools include talking about the problems you are experiencing, using some creative outlets and relaxation practices that will help you to ground and regulate your emotions.

Next on the list of benefits is that therapy will increase self-awareness. Self-discovery through therapy helps uncover patterns and empowers personal growth by allowing you to express whatever holds you or makes you uncomfortable, in a safe non-judgemental space where you are received with empathy and positive regard.

Physical Well-being is another benefit of going to therapy. Addressing emotional issues can positively impact sleep, immunity, and overall physical health.

Our nervous system plays a central role in how we experience and recover from stress or trauma. Therefore, sensory experiences that can be achieved through therapy will help to regulate the nervous system, promoting calmness and safety, by soothing it, reducing the fight-or-flight response, fostering a sense of balance and stability.

At Creative Calm Therapy, our counsellors are trained to use the following types of therapy models, blended with personal lived experience.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on altering negative thought patterns.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Delves into unconscious processes and past experiences.
• Creative Therapy: Creative therapies use artistic expression such drawing, painting, sand and symbols, metaphors etc to aid healing.
• Grief Therapy: Grief therapy offers solace to those mourning a loss, whether of a loved one, a relationship, or a lifestyle.
• Person Centred Therapy: Helps clients become more self-aware and grow personally.
• Therapeutic Groups: Offers a support network, encouraging to share experiences and enables self- exploration. Also, it is a safe space to meet other people experiencing same concerns.

Author

Mihaela Marian

MBACP  Therapeutic Counsellor