The Impact of Therapy and Counselling on Mental Health
Our mental and physical health dictates our behaviour, impacts our work performance and ultimately decides how successful we will be in our lives. As mental health remains in the background, it is often ignored compared to physical health. For instance, if someone has the flu, he is more likely to visit a doctor than someone who is feeling depressed.
Due to a lack of attention, people often degrade their mental health to the point where they start experiencing debilitating issues that impact their lives in the worst way possible. In turn, mental health issues start impacting physical health and can even lead to an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Therefore, it is essential to nip the problem in the bud by seeking therapy and counselling at the first signs of mental health issues.
Difference Between Counselling and Therapy
For a layman, it is easy to think that counselling and therapy are the same. However, although some people use the terms interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.
Counselling is a short-term approach to investigating a mental health issue. It focuses on a specific incident or a problem. For instance, a counsellor would try to enable a patient and encourage them to share anecdotes of past traumatic events. By helping a person confront the root cause of their mental health issues, a counsellor can persuade the patient to seek therapy.
A counsellor usually offers a preview of what lies in store for the patient if they are ready to start a journey towards mental well-being. Sometimes, a counsellor’s help is all that is needed to kickstart recovery.
Compared to counselling, therapy is an elaborate process. There can be multiple therapies that can be used in mental health treatment. Therapies are primarily strategic and evidence-based, so most patients are cured when seasoned mental health professionals treat them.
Another main difference between counselling and therapy is that professionals with different expertise carry out the former, and licensed mental health professionals carry out the latter. For example, a person who has a mental illness due to a marriage issue can seek counselling from a marriage counsellor. When the marriage counsellor identifies the cause of the problem, they can pass on the information to a licensed mental health expert who can administer the right therapy.
The Impact of Counselling on Mental Health
Counselling is often short-term and does not have set guidelines because different types of mental health professionals undertake them. The impact of counselling is:
- Identification and clarification of goals, values, and priorities
- Greater self-awareness
- Willingness to seek treatment for the problem, e.g., mental health issues and addiction problems
The Impact of Various Therapies on Mental Health
After counselling, many patients are encouraged to admit themselves to mental illness rehab. Once in rehab for mental illness, they are prescribed various therapies based on their requirements. Some evidence-based therapies that provide the best results are:
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and modifying pessimistic thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. It impacts individuals by helping them develop healthier coping strategies, challenge distorted thinking patterns, and learn skills to take control of their emotions and cravings.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT is a combination of cognitive-behavioural techniques and mindfulness practices. It is particularly effective in treating borderline personality disorder, self-harm behaviours, and substance use disorders. DBT impacts individuals differently and helps them develop skills to regulate emotions, enhance interpersonal relationships, and tolerate distressing situations.
- Expressive Therapies: Expressive therapies, including art therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy, provide alternative avenues for individuals to express and process their emotions. Top rehab treatment clinics in the UK, like Linwood House, offer therapies like Yoga, Gong Bath and sound therapy. These creative approaches can help individuals explore and communicate their feelings without saying a word, promoting self-expression, relaxation, and self-discovery.
- Group Therapy: Group therapy involves individuals with similar struggles coming together under the guidance of a therapist. It provides an environment for individuals to share their experiences, gain insights from others, and develop interpersonal skills. Group therapy impacts the sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and promotes social support, which can be particularly valuable in a rehab setting.
- Family Therapy: Family therapy involves the participation of family members or significant others in the treatment process. It aims to improve communication, address dysfunctional family dynamics, and enhance support systems. Family therapy helps individuals in rehab strengthen relationships, resolve conflicts, and develop a healthy support network for ongoing recovery.
- Trauma-focused Therapy: Many individuals seeking rehab have experienced traumatic events, which can significantly impact their mental health. Trauma-focused therapies, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), help individuals heal from traumatic experiences. These therapies aim to reduce trauma-related symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviours.
Final Thoughts
Both counselling and therapy have a huge impact on the recovery of a mental health patient. While counselling lays the foundation of the treatment, therapy addresses specific issues and helps find solutions to the problems. To get the most benefit from therapy and counselling, you should look for a mental health institution in the UK that has a track record of successfully treating patients. Under the guidance of healthcare professionals who have been there and achieved the results, like the ones at Linwood House, you can rest assured about a positive outcome.
